goal 2 - a tough call

Hello All...

So, I had a good test today on Goal 2 for this year: "Live Real and Honestly"

So, where I work, you can nominate people for Employee of the Month and that kind of stuff. Well, some people on my project team wanted to nominate this one guy for the S.U.P.E.R. award. It's basically saying that the person is, I think, Super, Unique, Professional, Excellent, and Reliable.

Well, like I said, some folks wanted to nominate this one person. So they put filled out the whole sheet and were having everybody sign it. Except that, it wasn't like it was just sitting on the table and you go up and sign it if you want to...no, my manager was walking around having people sign it.

And then he got to me.......

And he said to me, "Come on Marks, are you going to sign it?" And I said, "Why?" And he replied, "Manager knows best." I told him, flat out, "I can't sign that." To which he gives me this odd look. And I said, "When it comes to how I have seen him act, I can't honestly sign that." And my manager says, "Ok" and walks away.

So, there I am, still new to the project team, and completely not having "team-spirit". But I stuck firm with my decision...and here, are my reasons.

This guy that they want to nominate for this award is anything but professional. He's arrogant, egotistical, takes credit for other people's hard work, doesn't give credit to those it's due, feels the need to tell everyone that he's in charge when the manager isn't there, and laughs it off if you need help with something. I'm sorry, but, how is that professional??

Anyway, after lunch I felt like I should probably go and say something to my manager. I didn't go into anything, I just said, "I just feel like I should tell you my reasonings. It's just that, personality-wise, we just really don't click or see eye-to-eye. And maybe other people think he's being professional, but personally, I don't and I'm not going to lie about it." To which my manager said, "I really respect that and, even though you didn't have to, I'm glad you told me. It says a lot about your character."

So anyway, I felt really good about it all. Because, in the end, I nominated somebody else on my project team. This guy exemplifies everything in a real leader...and he'd be the last to admit it.

So yeah, that was my first real "goal 2" strive forward. I've stopped worrying about the little things. Why should I have to lie about some stupid employee award?

Ok, that's all.

~jen