Recently I had the privilege of attending the annual conference of the Association of Image Consultants International. Attendees, considered to be the 'best of the best' in their industry, represented 17 countries. Their firms deal with every facet of personal and corporate image.
As dinner was cleared away from the banquet tables, Christina Ward, a former president of the association, began the presentation of their annual awards for outstanding performance within the industry. As she began to speak, I was captivated by her words.
You see, as much as I acknowledge the need for awards, I'm always concerned about the people who aren't acknowledged. Christina truly captured the essence of what an award really means. Later, I asked her for a copy of the speech, and she obliged. You might consider it before your next awards presentation.
'THE AWARDS CHALLENGE'
presented at the AICI Gala Awards Ceremony by Christina Ward, AICI
Awards-why are they important? Some say they are ego trips, morale boosters, or competitive icons. I'm guessing those people have never received one!
My 21-year-old daughter was working on the computer in my home office one day this past year and I popped my head in to see why I didn't hear any activity. She was staring at the wall. I said, 'What's up?'
She responded, 'I'm staring at the last four years of your life.' She was looking at the plaques, certificates, and awards I have hanging on my wall.
She said, 'I remember how proud I was the day I came home my senior year in high school and you had surprised me by filling a whole wall with every accomplishment I had achieved in my last four years. I felt proud and fulfilled-there were some I had even forgotten about. Though I was most proud of receiving 'Outstanding Senior of The Year,' I realized that all these other steps were what led me there.'
What we're honoring here tonight are the steps these honorees took, not knowing it would lead to tonight. We're providing a memory for them that captures the journey. Believe me, there were many days-when the call notes were piled up, the fax machine was jammed, and the computer stared back at me -- that I sat back, glanced up at that wall, and got a second wind to plow on.
To me, an award does not necessarily say that you've made it and now you can rest. It means you are valuable, worthwhile, and a good role model. But with that comes a responsibility to go on, to share what got you there in the first place and push others to their time in the spotlight. When you're in a dry spell, an award is the focus that allows you to say, 'I did it once and, by golly, I can do it again!'
Tonight, we honor the paths of some of us who have reached a fork in the road. There is a gleaming crystal prize for a job well done. My challenge to these exemplary people is this: Can you take this beautiful icon and lend its shining light to others? Can you help others arrive at this fork in the road and take their turn?
After all, a prism that does not reflect light is just a piece of glass.