Someone asked me today 'What can I do to get recognition and respect from the big guns at work?'

I understood it perfectly. It's the WOW factor. Everybody is looking for it, that bit of pizazz that sets you apart from the crowd, and makes you a star in your career. In fact, nowadays, people focus more on the wow factor than on the job itself, such that a whole new motivational industry has been built around this somewhat intangible achievement. So I decided to write my thoughts down about it, and I'll start by borrowing a piece of the old Wild West novel Comstock Lode, for illustration purposes.

Johnny Eldorado rode into town one fine day, looking for 'the Chief', Langford Peel. Peel was a tough guy type that had made his bones on the fast draw, and was regarded by all in town as the 'Chief'. He wasn't a lawman, just a tough gunfighter who had a great reputation with fellow cowboys and ladies alike. Now Johnny had figured, the best way to get recognition in the Comstock mining area was to become 'Chief'. The only problem was , Langford Peel was chief. And Johnny had to go through him in that case.

So Johnny called out Peel to a gunfight. And Peel shot him dead cold in his tracks.
Now what was Johnny's error? He was a nice boy, and seemingly young enough to hope for a brighter future. But he didn't just want a bright future, he wanted to be Chief. And what exactly did that mean? Nothing really, just a moniker that was stuck to a tough guy in recgnition for his gunfighting exploits. It wasn't a paid position, or even an elected position, but it was a respected position, and that was all Johnny was looking for.

Moral of the story? Everybody is always looking for some kind of respect, accolade, or position that confers some sort of default advantage. Like a fast track to the good life. I guess it does happen, but is it as a result of some exemplary performance by the seeker, or just a product of time and chance? Methinks the latter. Johnny didn't want to be important by actually working hard and achieving something by himself, he wanted someone else's title without considering how Peel actually earned that title, or if that title was really what he needed. Most of us in the work environment are just like Johnny. We don't really think that success comes from hard work, or maybe we think hard work ended when we got those degrees and certifications; we just want to kick back and enjoy life in the fast lane.

My submission? Go and work for whatever you want to achieve, and stop trying to step up to an imaginary perception of class and standard
Thoughts of the house? Fire away, looking forward to reading from you all.

show me a man who is dilligent in his work, he shall stand before kings! hard work singles you out. also be good at PR.

I agree that time and chance happens. I really don't think there is a wow factor, although there are some individuals that just stand out for variety of reasons such that the big boys take note of them. Regardless, if you work had to be the best at what you do, eventually someone will take notice either at your current workplace or the next. Meanhwile, keep developing your skill and competencies.

Interesting topic to reflect on. . . 

I suppose that to answer the question of how one gets recognition and respect from ‘the big guns at work’, one would really need to ask oneself yet another (extended) question:

- Is the person actually enjoying the work they are doing . . . is this work what they really want to be doing for the rest of their lives. . . are they enthusiastic about it all?

If the answer is ‘yes’ then all the person would need to do is to let that enthusiasm show.  In most cases that enthusiasm would push them into becoming comparatively more creative and innovative in their work. They would without any hesitation go all out to acquire all relevant skills that would make them better workers - in other words, for want of a better way to summarise it, one can say they'd be manifesting 'the wow factor!'. And their colleagues would most likely notice this enthusiasm and dedication. . . and if they are not overtly envious - or are not in open competition with them - would probably show them the respect, they'd be deserving of. Even their bosses may ‘recognise them’ - that is, in an ideal world where subordinates are appreciated!

If, on the other hand, the answer to the question is ‘no’ and for that individual it’s even a burden to get up in the mornings . . . and when they do, they spend the rest of the day fantasizing about 'better' jobs they could be doing, or they find themselves just wondering how on earth their lives ended up so fu*cked up. . . . and yet for some perverse reasons they still want ‘recognition’ in their work place . . . then such a person would have to hone up their skills of sucking up to people, because that’s the skill they'd need the most!   

So, the ‘wow’ factor, if there is anything like that, has to do with whether you really like your job and also what your current state of mind is in relation to that job. . .

. . . as the velvet curtains start to draw on the stage of 2010. . . as the nostalgic tunes of Auld Lang Syne starts to rent the air . . . let me go and start honning those skills I mentioned. . .  

Meanwhile Happy New Year to everybody and may 2011 be all that we wish for and more!