zen and Q, the Art of Work

I'm prepping for the move, so I'm cleaning - and I came across some pins that I earned at work. One year of service, Employee of the Month, Company anniversary, that sort of thing. I typically acknowlege all of these with the same thought: "hmph...they could've saved some scratch, and given us all bigger raises...". So last week, my old project manager (who can barely purse his lips together to say 'hi', but that's another post) comes by my desk, smiling even, and hands me another pin - this for a sizeable contribution to the Company's favored charity. I was so shocked he was smiling & talking to me, the pin didn't even register. Howevever, I did quip that I was gonna start wearing a lanyard, covered with pins, like Q.

Now, Q is our department's elder statesman. More senior than most senior management, Q has held a higher-level non-supervisory position (created as a pacifier, perhaps?) for some years. Rumor has it that he was promoted, then demoted, for his refusal to cooperate with the in-house hierarchy. Nevertheless, Q (at a casual glance) seems quietly complacent, despite knowing where most of the bodies are buried, in his current (and final) position. I've heard some positive things about Q, but I've also heard some Dilbert-like jabs at his position, and his existence. Subconsciously, I associated him with the dinosaurs - a Company man, and the last of a (hopefully) dying breed.

Q wears a lanyard, covered with pins. Some earned, some purchased, and some just acquired. Some that sport various incarnations of the company logo, or other emblems that would easily symbolize the company's primary function. Some fun pins, some serious pins. But lots of pins. And he wears this lanyard every day, with Armani suits at the corporate office, and with T-shirts and jeans at the company picnic. Q is very proud of his pins, and proud of the achievements/events/contributions that granted them.

I used to vow I would never, ever become Q. But when I found my mini collection of pins, I rethought Q. Every one of those pins has a story. Every pin reflects some step in Q's journey with the Company. More than the 'glory' of senior management, high-impact/high-priority projects, and huge bonuses. Those pins show Q's walk at work. They are the physical representation of Q walking, with grace.

Yes, I could (and still will) job-hop. But in the interim, the job isn't that bad after all. And in 25 years, I hope to have something to signify my walk, like Q's pins.