356. Divisional Award Sway

Last night was a very emotional night for me. Since leaving my last job I didn't just leave a desk job and some files - I left a team behind. My team consisted of 12 friends that were out in the field every day on the grind.  It was my job/duty to keep them in the know and to fight for them no matter what.  I took that as a personal mission to watch their backs, get their stuff done not only on time but correctly, and to make sure that they were consistently in the know.  We were a well oiled machine and number one.  Literally we were number one - division of the year 4 years in a row!  I took a lot of pride in that and gloated all the time to the other divisions and challenged the team to maintain that momentum all the time.

Many changes have taken place since I left HAL - it was recently announced that my former director/leader of the West, Steve, was also leaving the team behind and moving to International Sales.  With that change - the West was also going to be split up and taken on by the remaining directors.  Being here in Seattle and them being out in the field - our face time was once a year.  SO last night was bittersweet for everyone; it was deemed "the Last Supper".  It was time for everyone to bid one another adieu.


After catching up and munching on appetizers Steve got up to make a speech and say his thank yous.  Mid speech he unwrapped one of the coveted "Division of the Year" awards and presented it to our departing BDR manager.  "Hello!  What an awesome gift", I thought to myself.  Right when I looked at the next package I realized the pause in the speech was bc Steve needed to compose himself.  He started by saying "Now this one..." and then his voice cracked and he started to cry.  Through my own watering eyes I looked around and saw a collective group tearing as well.  Wow - this was really it... the last time the West was going to be together.  Steve took a breathe and pointed at me (to my surprise) and said "No one will ever fight for you like she did.  She worked so hard and she championed and complained and fought everyday.  Be it with me or upper management - she fought and she loved it!"  He gave me a Division of the Year award of my very own as my parting gift.  I cried - I knew I would but I didn't want to admit that I left this behind for an extra $1.  They were not only my team but my work family.  I got lost in the emotion and just said thank you and accepted my trophy and clung onto it for the rest of the night.

Upon coming home from parting ways - I felt a hint of regret.  There was so much I wanted to say and I didn't.  So I took my camera and recorded my first video...




Laugh - tis ok - I did a few times but in the end - I almost cried again and had to cut the closing off.
The West - my HAL Team - Division of the Year 4 years in a row... they'll always be my #1!