Me and my dad on Senior Night, 1981
At the end of my high school football season in 1981, I anxiously awaited word on my selection to the All-CIF team as an offensive lineman. This meant I’d not only be mentioned in the paper, but I’d also get to play in the all-star game and get that coveted all-star football jersey. I knew I was a shoe-in. I was first team all-CIF my junior year and had an even better senior season.
I was not selected. For anything. First or second team. I couldn’t believe it. Then I found out my football coach had a prior commitment and couldn’t make it to the league meeting to lobby for me. I was extremely disappointed.
I hadn’t thought about that story for a long time, but then, a friend of mine told me her son was passed up for a promotion in his job. He was a great worker and some of his colleagues got promoted but he didn’t. Come to find out, his Boss admitted he didn’t push for him to get promoted because he was too busy. My friend’s son was crushed. He’s probably going to quit. I had flashbacks to high school.
Moral of the stories? If you have a good worker, you OWE it to them to lobby and promote them to your Bosses so they can get promoted!
- Yes, it’s a lot of work.
- Yes, it takes time.
- Yes, you could say “well they get a paycheck, what more do they need?”
- Yes, you could say “hey it’s up to them to promote themselves and be recognized, after all, that’s how I did it.”
But don’t say those things. I never resented my high school coach, but did lose some respect for him. Years later, I had a great Boss in the Navy who always lobbied hard for me to be recognized. That was great. I appreciated it. I still have the utmost respect for him.
This week, take a look at those employees you manage. If any of them are deserving of recognition, get busy doing it!