Self-Devpt. Nuggets™

[MEMO] From: Ag. Production Manager

To: Tayo Solagbade

Date: 9th March 2000

Re: COMMENDATION

I wish to commend you for the contributions you have been making to our process control through comput(e)risation of operations. Specially worthy of mention is the ODBM calculation spreadsheet for Malta Guinness Brews done on 8.3.2000. I know you put in much thought and time into developing that spreadsheet. Besides it was your idea and you did it unasked.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

Best wishes.

Signed.

A.O. Isikhuemen

cc: Operations Manager, Technical Manager

For years I’ve written articles yapping about how I excelled in Guinness Nigeria by developing spreadsheet solutions to solve various problems or meet unique needs.

But, this is the first time ever, that I am publishing ANY proof to back up my claims, outside of my own narratives and the resume I’ve always shared online.

I mean written, formal or official proof…not just me saying I did something that no one else can corroborate.

Let me add that apart from my use of spreadsheet automation, I also made several creative contributions that earned me accolades – which I will share later on.

The truth is that I never really bothered myself with whether or not anyone told me thank you for any of the solutions I developed.

As I have said in so many past articles, I was driven by a need to enjoy an improved work situation, to use my skills to create the needed changes.

Most of us are familiar with the saying: Be the change you want to see in the world. Well, that was exactly what I chose to do. Rather than sit around and moan about how things could be better, I formed the habit of constantly seeking ways to make things better.

And it did not matter to me if I got rewarded or acknowledged or not. As long as I was able to make things better, I was satisfied. Not surprisingly though, my efforts often made me a darling in most places I worked. And that was enough for me.

But my main purpose for writing this piece is not to talk about myself (I’ve done that many times before now).

Instead, it is pay tribute to the gentleman who chose to go out of his way to formally acknowledge my efforts in his capacity as Acting Production Manager i.e. Austin O. Isikhuemen.

Austin did NOT have to write that letter. After all, I’d worked under other superiors in the past. None of them had written any such letter – even though some of the solutions I’d developed during their terms had been groundbreaking.

That’s not to say they did not wish me well. I’m just saying it did not occur to them to do it.

Such gestures can INSPIRE greater efforts from those who take the pains to go the extra mile without being asked.

And that’s what Austin did.

Not only did he write that commendation letter to me, he went a step further to send copies to the brewery head (Operations Manager – OM) and the Technical Manager (TM) – both of who were expatriates.

To me, that makes Austin a manager with a VERY high level of Emotional Intelligence (click here to read my article on Emotional Intelligence).

I can confirm that Austin’s letter made me feel like doing even more.

I kept on doing so – and it paid off in many ways before I left the company to start my own business.

When he wrote me that letter, I was still a brewer in the Production Department, but had had several stints acting in higher positions (e.g. as Technical Training & Development Manager), where I had also given a good account of myself.

It goes without saying that my past performances, and subsequent commendations like the one influenced top management’s decision to give me greater career advancement opportunities.

For instance, later that year (200), I was promoted substantive TTDM. On top of that I got nominated to attend a 6 week International Brewing Course in the UK.

Other opportunities followed upon my return, including a full month as Acting Production Manager, less than 4 months after I got promoted out of the Production Department!

I’m not saying that Austin’s letter led to all these. What I’m saying is that it would have made noticeable contribution to tip the scales in my favour. And like I said, he did not have to do it. Yet he did it.

I believe what he did is worth emulating.

You don’t have to be in paid employment to do so either: As a business owner, you should do this with your employees/workers. Same applies if you lead others in a group or organization of ANY nature or size.

Indeed, anywhere you see persons doing things worth commending, don’t hesitate to acknowledge them.

It can only make them do more of it, and everybody will be better off as result!

PS: All of this will be published in a comprehensive form, in the books I’m working on. For now, I simply use these articles to offer what I hope will be useful information, education and inspiration…and also a sneak preview of what is to come.