Nothing Lasts Forever
In early March, the Indianapolis Colts cut iconic quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning had been the heart and soul of the Colts for fourteen years, leading the team to the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons, and to a Super Bowl victory in 2006-07. He won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award four times.
“We all know that nothing lasts forever,” an emotional Manning told the press.
Manning missed the entire 2011 season with a neck injury. In his absence, the Colts posted a dismal 2-14 record. Coming off his fourth neck surgery, Manning’s ability to return to his pre-injury form is uncertain. More importantly, perhaps, is that he’s expensive: the Colts are trying to rebuild after 2011, and Manning’s salary put a strain on the team’s salary cap. So, despite his having “been a Colt for almost all of my adult life,” as Manning put it, the team’s leadership sent him packing.
Luckily for Peyton Manning, a handful of NFL teams showed immediate interest in hiring him to do for them what he did for the Colts: win games. The Denver Broncos signed Manning, and in the process, unseated their starting quarterback, Tim Tebow.
Tebow didn’t have the Bronco starting job for long. The former Heisman Trophy winner-turned rookie sensation took over the Bronco’s offense after their own dismal 2011 season start. But with his running ability and come-from-behind heroics, Tebow restored the team to respectability, helping them end the season 8-8, and getting them into the playoffs where they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round.
And what does Tebow get for his efforts? The same that Manning got for his: the boot.
But hey, business is business. Besides, Colts and Broncos fans will forget as soon their teams start winning again. Right?
Maybe not. These are two high-profile employees whose treatment by their leaders leaves a bad taste in many people's mouths. And if star performers like Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow can be treated this way – despite giving their all to a team – then what chance does the average worker have?
Nothing lasts forever, not even the trust people have in their leaders. A lot of people will remember what happened to Manning and Tebow for a long time, and wonder if it will happen to them. 
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Author George Brymer's comments about the leaders who get it, and those who never will.
