I used to love using illustrations in my talks (student, Public whatever) Even now I still use illustrations to help student's I teach in some of the courses I run.
I was thinking about something that happened to me while working for a Private Wealth Company owned by a major Canadian bank...
One day while the CEO was away from the office I caught a mistake going through the system involving a transaction for one of the clients and a subsequent presentation to said client regarding the changeover being undertaken. The mistake, while approved and already initiated by those responsible, could have cost the company several tens of thousands in penalties and if finalized would have called into question this client (worth over $45 million) staying with the company.
Tho not really my job, I initiated corrective measures, spent the night re-doing much of the work involved. Worked straight through to the next morning, getting everything finished and ready for when the client walked in at 9 AM.
Meanwhile I told the CEO and client service manager of the problem. I was thanked by both, and for my efforts I received a couple of sets of tickets to the Raptors and Maple Leaf games, a really nice quarterly bonus cheque and a modest raise. For about a week after the CEO always made it a point to come over and say thanks again.. and good catch.
Then after that first week, he stopped bringing it up. After I went to those games, I didn't get any more tickets. The next quarter bonus came and went..I only got the standard bonus that everyone else did. I felt jilted. After all I did all this work, saved thousands, gave up a whole night's sleep...what a bunch of ingrates I thought.
But what do you think? Was I wrong to feel this way?
Of course I was wrong. I was thanked at the time and it would be completely unreasonable to think I could use my extra effort, and time spent to demand special favour or attention or even thanks for years after providing it. I certainly would not receive special status within the company for something I did years ago.
In fact the CEO mentioned to me, that he expected me to watch for such mistakes from that point on. It was expected that I would always do it. A couple of other things happened and I was thanked for my work, both verbally and at times financially or with other perks, but those were soon forgotten as well.
How do you think other employees would feel if I continually spoke of this event to them? How do you think they would feel if I was to even brag about the raptors tickets? Or if I told them of the bonus I got? Then to make matters worse I started demanding that the other employees start treating me with more respect?
I would probably be called snobbish, egotistical, perhaps a braggart or maybe even elitest.
But I saved thousands because of my efforts.....
Why the hell am I telling this story?
Many here have been thanked for their work over the years. Does this mean we owe them anything? Status? extra respect? hands off policy? non-questioning policy? continual annual perks or bonuses?
But they saved thousands because of their efforts.....
At most we may come to become regular readers of their information. Bowing down to men and giving unquestioning loyalty to men was given up by many when we left the JW's.
But they saved thousands because of their efforts.....
I guess I am wondering what's the motivation. I am sure it started off as love for fellow people trapped inside the walls of the Society, but twhen that work is used to demand extra respect, it falls short of good motives.
I know many are tired of me regaling about H20 and my work there. But most here held FD1 in great respect. Did you ever hear him once demand special favor or respect? Did he ever ask participants for a thank you? Has Simon ever asked to be held in high esteem. He devotes hours daily to this site, yet he doesn't demand special attention (right sir Simon, almighty god of the board, Doer of good in all the land - LOL )
But his board may have saved thousands .....
Over the past 5-6 years I personally have thanked Alan, JanH, Farkel, gulp even Kent :) for their work and for their efforts. This doesn't mean however that I view them as any more important than any one else on the board. I may read their posts if I am looking for excellent research, but I hold them in no greater esteem than the 'fluffier' posters who do provide loving online support for others. I actually would resent it if I got the feeling that they were now demanding thanks annually from me or felt I should treat them any different than anyone else on the board.
I feel each one plays a significant role here. I don't feel or see how this position of mine takes anything away fom the hard work of some or the contribution of others.
I guess I am just leary of anyone who says, remember from where you first learned this and then demand you eternally thank them for it... It sounds too Watchtower-ish
Just food for thought.
Kismet
I apologize for the long-windedness but I think I am starting to be known fo rit :)