Traveling in China I met Mickey (22). He told me he finishes school next year and then has to seek a job. On my question what his dream is for the future he told me: “to become a good seller and after working several years to have a shop of my own.” He told me his personal story, about his father who died 5 years ago, how he had to look after himself, about the facts of life, sometimes lack of food but always with faith in improvement. On my question what was most important to him, Mickey answered: “Respect”.

On the flight back to Amsterdam my neighbour, Richard (57) from Liverpool, told me he was about leaving the company he worked for the last 27 years. Because of the financial situation the company needs to get rid of 30% of the employees. Maybe he could have stayed, but he decided he didn’t want to work anymore for this organisation because of the behaviour from the management in the company. Until recent he was a manager himself. He never thought this would happen to him. “They are destroying our values.”

I told Richard about Mickey’s story. “Yes it’s all about respect. It’s not about the money, the status or position. It scares me, I don’t know what it will do to me when I am out of office”, he said.

I saw a tear in his eye.