That’s Ms. VP to you
Jan 4th, 2007 by Accidental Thinker
Late this afternoon, in between a series of endlessly tedious back-to-back meetings, I was unexpectedly summoned to our president’s office. When I arrived, he waved me in and motioned for me to close the door.
Wait, closed door meetings are never a good sign, are they?
The first part of the ensuing conversation went something like this:
Me (jovially): What can I do for you today, Mr. Prez?
Prez: Well, that’s not what this meeting is about. It’s about what you’ve already done for us.
Me: (unsure pause)
Prez: How would you like to be a vice president?
Me (very eloquently): Are you kidding me?!
Yes, it’s true. After nearly ten years of dedicated service to my company, I’ve reached the elite level of vice president. As it turns out, my job won’t actually change much. I’m still in charge of Research & Development, only now at a VP level, with a decision-making seat at the executive table. I’ll actually be losing an employee to another department as part of a reorganization, and I’ll finally be rid of the project that’s had me doing so much traveling (after finishing up some carryover during the next month or two). Not that I’m complaining, mind you. All those flights last year earned me Silver Medallion status on Delta and enough miles for a trip to Italy for Kent’s 40th birthday in March. But that’s another blog post for another day.
And it’s a far cry from my mood a few months ago, when, under our then-president (much despised by the staff at large), I was so discouraged by the low morale around our office that I was actually contemplating whether it was time to seek greener pastures. In the end, it was an industry colleague (a sage woman whom I consider to be my professional mentor) who gave me the words of wisdom that helped me hang in there. She told me that whatever I’m doing is the Lord’s work, and at the end of the day it’s not going to be anyone at my company writing my ultimate performance review. She also predicted that I’d outlast the tyrant whom no one could please. Wouldn’t you know, she was exactly right.
Ironically, at precisely the same time I was getting the good news about my promotion, a friend was penning a brief email to let me know about some really tough goings-on with his own job. That put it all in perspective and made my news immediately secondary. I’m really proud of my accomplishment—Mr. Prez says I’ve earned it, and I like to believe that’s true. But it’s not my job that makes my world go ’round. It’s God, and my family, and the connections I make with people every day.
The job is still a nice bonus, though, and I’ll appreciate it for as long as it lasts.
Congratulations! 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Ms. VP!
Wow.. this is wonderful news. A big congrats to you.
Congrats! What a great blessing for you! Time for that mini weekend getaway to celebrate!
Congratulations! And best wishes.
Cas
Way to go! You deserve it, and I’m sure you’ll do them proud. Congratulations!
That is GREAT news, Ms. VP! I hope it comes with an increase in pay to go with that snazzy title.
You are obviously a disciplined person (proof of that is in your previous post as well as this one). It is wonderful to see you harvesting the fruit of your labors.
I’m sure 2007 will prove to be a great success as well.
Congratulations, Monique! Way to go.
Congratulations Madame President! I’m sitting up straighter – d’ya notice? We’re proud of you!! 🙂
That is so exciting! Congratulations!
That’s FABULOUS! Congratulations! What a way to start off a brand new year.
P.S. I love what you ‘ve done with the place. The blog is gorgeous!
[…] there was the big executive promotion in […]