Worth More Than Money…
Tuesday before Thanksgiving was my last day in the office. On Wednesday, an issue hit the fan, the flood gates opened and my BB was attacked with emails. By Friday morning, emails turned to phone calls but there’s only so much I can do from another state without my laptop and a secure internet connection. The head of my organization got wind of the problem and an emergency meeting was planned. As a result, someone drafted a brief and I was asked to review it (via BB – lawd that was the pits), provide comments and be prepared to support the meeting at 10am Monday morning. Great.
Besides what little I could gather over emails, I was unprepared to address the issue with confidence. Reluctantly, I had to ask several key players to be in my office by 7am Monday morning to fill me in. Since it was a holiday weekend, I wasn’t sure if they were checking their BBs so all I could do was hope and pray they received my request. I’m not usually demanding or a ‘fly by the seat of my pants’ type of person, but I did what I had to do. Lucky for me, 2 of the 4 people I summoned showed up. By 9:30, I was prepared for the meeting with the head of my organization and the VP and Chairman of the other party. Did I mention my boss is conveniently on vacation this week? LOL I had to summarize the issue, make recommendations (with caveats) based on the information I had available to me, and propose an action plan. My team pulled it off without a hitch.
THE RESULT
Rec’d today from the head of my organization, 2 levels above my boss…
Good Afternoon [redacted]
I am negligent in not letting you know what a great job you did putting this together and representing us at the meeting. You concisely and articulately identified all of the items that needed to be accomplished.
From the first time we met, I have been impressed with your professionalism, intelligence, and your ability to focus on the real issues and identify paths ahead. We are lucky to have you and I appreciate you stepping in to work this issue.
[email signature]
MY THOUGHTS
I’ve been on the grind since day one and it’s good to know that my efforts are recognized. She probably doesn’t even realize it, but her email meant more to me than any bonus or pay increase they could possibly offer.
I simply responded (and copied my boss) with…
Ms. [redacted]
Thank you. Knowing that my efforts are recognized and appreciated really mean a lot to me.
v/r
[email signature]
In other words, I am happy with my decision to stay. :-)
This blog is a personal account of my journey to become Healthy & Wealthy. If you like what you've read, feel free to subscribe via (feed reader) or (email) to follow along.
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Fabulous Financials v2.0 » Accepting an Employer Counter Offer is a Bad Idea (Pingback), 13 February 2008, 7:57
[...] this point, I have nothing very little to lose. Even with kudos and bonus cash coming from the very top, there is nothing that can persuade me to stay anymore. [...]
I just want to tell you, I LOVE your attitude and style. :-D Thanks for reminding me how nice it is to hear positive feedback.
Barb
Alright now!
Queuing song of the day:
You better work ( cover girl )
Work it girl( give a twirl )
Do your thing on the runway
Strutting the whole way OUT the office!
sashay shante Ma!
That was a great letter. I bet you are still feeling good about. I also bet it doesn’t get deleted. It’s amazing what a few kind words can do and in corporate America it is too seldom done for fear of possibly using it against them at a future date.
Keep up the good work – I know it doesn’t mean as much as the one from your boss but congratulations.
That’s GREAT! Congratulations!!
Knowing that hard and careful work are appreciated means so much. It makes me feel good just to read about it.
I spend a lot of time around people who are frustrated with work – it’s really nice to hear a positive story. Congrats again!
girl I KNOW that feeling… those emails I got from board members I sent to my personal address so that I can keep them!!!
See it definitely all works out!
Awesome!
It is really nice to know you and your efforts are appreciated. I wish more senior people took the time to recognize the hard work that people put in.
You go girl!
This is great! It’s good to know that others know you are doing your job well. I’m glad you are happy with your decision.
That’s fabulous! Always wonderful to be appreciated and even better to be confident in a decision you’ve made. Congrats!
That’s so great about the head recognizing your hard work. Don’t forget to pay it forward…by thanking your team for pulling it off without a hitch!
Lady V
@ Lady V – They deserve all the credit and I have no problem making it known.