I give thanks that in these economic times so difficult for so many that I remain employed in an industry that continues to generate innovation, positive economic activities and empowers business progress across the globe. Whether a routine call to a self service application or a lifesaving call to a government agency, communications technologies continue to be a critical linchpin of modern progress and an exciting area of work.
I give thanks to the many in this industry that have come before. These individuals span from the creators of the first elementary networks to those today who continue to expand the public and private global networks that create ever increasing opportunities. From the ability of emerging nations to increase in economic and political status to the ways that mature economies expand opportunities, it is the ability to communicate in increasingly rich ways through networking technologies that fuels this activity.
I give thanks to those in my career who have made it possible for me to be where I am today. There were those who created employee tuition assistance programs that allowed me to complete and advance my college education. There is the manager who when the need for a systems administrator arose remembered my acquired computer skills and took a chance on me by offering my first management promotion.
I give thanks to the many other managers and mentors throughout my career who viewed me as a worthy investment. Thanks to those who overtly guided my career and those less evident. Thanks to those who gave me the latitude to try new things and those who supported and funded the occasional "out there" ideas.
I give thanks that I came of age in a time when awe inspiring new technologies have transformed the spheres of work and personal. In an era during which networks are hitting boundaries at the speed of light it is almost inconceivable that just a couple of short decades ago using a network to send data was the province of a select few.
I give thanks to the members of our military and their families both those who serve today as well as the many who have given so much in previous conflicts to make possible the benefits we all receive of their sacrifice.
I give thanks to the many customers who have challenged my teams. Your rightful demands for increasing levels of quality and better service have pushed us to higher levels of performance and in turn you have helped increase our ability to compete.
I give thanks to my many teammates present and past. Whether as colleagues, those I have had the opportunity to support as a manager or those who I have been managed by, I am in your debt. It is the dynamics of teamwork and these relationships that bring genuine humanity to the workplace.
I give thanks to my parents who through many times of economic uncertainty never stopped giving of themselves to their sons. Even when my father lost his business to a fire he and my mother never gave up on the family. Dad took job after job even ones that challenged his dignity as he and my mother did whatever it took to make sure their children had a place to live and food on the table.
I give thanks to the many inspiring people I have met through their volunteer work in professional organizations. You are often unseen heroes without whom so many fabulous events, increased levels of professional literacy and positive extracurricular synergies would not be so possible.
I give thanks for other unsung heroes who work in public safety and other critical government functions. Whether a 9-1-1 call taker, a call center representative linking people to social services or a career manager facing ever challenging budgets and shifting political priorities to ensure that government services are delivered with quality and efficiency, I give thanks.
Thank you to you who read my occasional blogs.
For the lifetime friends, valued colleagues, inspiring leaders and so many others so important to helping me to become the person and professional that I am today, I say thank you.
I'll be honored if you chose to follow me on Twitter @gclinch and view my LinkedIn Public Profile.
Comments
As always, words true to the heart and full of wisdom.
Posted 27 Nov 2011 at 07:52 PM