Vacuosity

Disbelief

Driving to work today, my vision was arrested by a Crossing Guard. She was wearing a bright pink tube top, with fully exposed midriff, and a bright blue mini skirt. She was not good-looking and neither did she have a nice body. It was a very strange sight, and I wondered what motivated her to draw such inappropriate attention to herself.



Those creative briefs are coming along nicely. I'm pretty proud of myself about that.

I got lots of props from Lyn today in our Directors and Managers meeting. It's not undeserved; I've worked really hard and have done really good work for the Brand Team. But it made me think about how far I've come and how much of it I owe to Lyn's faith in me. I have been able to survive some tremendous stresses simply because Lyn believed I could survive. And even if the position I'm in isn't exactly where I want to be, I have learned an incredible amount. I have gained the kind of knowledge and skill that cannot be taught in a classroom, and I owe that primarily to Lyn. She has done so much for me that I feel a measure of disbelief. I don't know where I'd be today without her.

I would not have been able to do the things I have done if it wasn't for her. And I do mean for her. The only way I was able to last through some of it was because I was doing it for Lyn. I would do almost anything she asked of me.

And though she says she hasn't, she has been there for me, when it really counts. There have been times when the tide threatened to prove too strong, where I was in danger of being pulled under and lost. People have not always been happy with me. In these times, Lyn's talent for influence shone. Sometimes, when I needed someone most, she was there completely unexpectedly, subtly working behind the scenes to put things right. She has a brilliant sense for people and for delivering help when it's most needed.

I feel that Lyn has been a nurturing influence in my life that I haven't had before. I talked to Dr. Rothman about it once, and he said that the best thing is when that influence becomes internalized, so that even when that person's direct influence is gone you can still benefit from it. You just have to hang on to that sense of security and remember how that person treated you.

I know now that I will always have that. I feel deep gratitude for what Lyn has given me. I will always remember her fondly and, thanks to her, I am stronger and more confident. That is the sort of thing that goes beyond the realm of being a good boss, or even a good leader. It comes from being a genuinely good person.

Thank you, Lyn.

posted by David @ 10:04 p.m.