Excellence
Today at work, we had an all hands meeting of my entire department (maybe150 to 175 people), where we got to hear inspiring words by the head of global production, Ian (my boss's boss's boss's boss), who was in town for the occasion of awarding our Excellence awards (called Star awards), to reward those workers who have somehow distinguished themselves above and beyond the rest. He gave out 8 of them. I was certainly surprised when I received one. I've only been at my new job for 7 months. Why in the world would I receive one?
It's a bit tough, listening to a gushing little background story of the person about to be announced, but knowing it's me. Ian didn't say any names of the recipients until the end of the rationalization of why that particular person was receiving the award. But each of us received an award for specific reasons. (Mine was listed as working on the new edition of the 3-volume Merrill's Atlas and for traveling to Chennai for training the workers there. Gee--I wonder who that could be?...) I received a star-shaped trophy and a very generous gift certificate.
I'm a good worker, and I understand why I received the award, but I feel very bad for co-workers, who are also working very hard but who maybe aren't as visible about it. How much of this is hard work, and how much is personality? I hate those sorts of questions, but I can't help but think it. Again. And again. Tomorrow is the department's Christmas party (luncheon at Dave & Busters, including a game tokens, so we can stick around and play games together). I suspect some co-workers are genuinely happy for me, and others are very hurt at being overlooked. That's hard for me to take; I'm happy about the award, but I'm sad that they're sad. I'm hoping they won't be sad during the party. I know that's out of my control. I hate that part, too. It must be time to go snuggle with my kitty. ("Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur...")
It's a bit tough, listening to a gushing little background story of the person about to be announced, but knowing it's me. Ian didn't say any names of the recipients until the end of the rationalization of why that particular person was receiving the award. But each of us received an award for specific reasons. (Mine was listed as working on the new edition of the 3-volume Merrill's Atlas and for traveling to Chennai for training the workers there. Gee--I wonder who that could be?...) I received a star-shaped trophy and a very generous gift certificate.
I'm a good worker, and I understand why I received the award, but I feel very bad for co-workers, who are also working very hard but who maybe aren't as visible about it. How much of this is hard work, and how much is personality? I hate those sorts of questions, but I can't help but think it. Again. And again. Tomorrow is the department's Christmas party (luncheon at Dave & Busters, including a game tokens, so we can stick around and play games together). I suspect some co-workers are genuinely happy for me, and others are very hurt at being overlooked. That's hard for me to take; I'm happy about the award, but I'm sad that they're sad. I'm hoping they won't be sad during the party. I know that's out of my control. I hate that part, too. It must be time to go snuggle with my kitty. ("Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur...")