Mom's Annual Performance Review

Today was the day my boss sat down with me to talk about my annual performance review. I was pleasantly surprised that I was given an "Exceeded Expectations" rating that was given to "less than a handful" of my colleagues, to quote my boss. Among the comments in the written report are:

Expertise: Jake's knowledge of the Middle [East], its culture, religion, history, politics and related security issues is exceptional. He is an excellent Arabic linguist with native capability in a variety of dialects as well as an excellent analyst, who has demonstrated that he can identify connections among entities and events to derive deeper meaning from data.

Communication skills: Jake receives universally high marks for his communication skills. Jake consistently produces quality reports, briefs, and other communications for a variety of projects and customers...he is a solid writer whose drafts require minimal editing. Jake applies his extensive knowledge of Middle Eastern issues and explains them in a way that leaves no doubt in the reader's mind about the meaning of some piece of information.

Flexibility: Jake adapts quickly to changing project requirements and performs well and consistently with minimal supervision. He responds rapidly to short-notice requests for information, and adjusts his priorities to assist with others' duties when necessary.

Innovation: Jake looks for ways to improve processes and products, and demonstrates creativity in his approach to solving the issues faced by [the customers].

Yes, I am blowing my own horn. There is, however, a point to all of this other than my ego. Throughout the meeting with my boss, as she was praising me, I kept thinking that the characteristics and skills I was being commended for were ones that mom almost effortlessly possessed throughout her personal and professional life. What Alexa and my peer reviewers find praiseworthy are the values that mom instilled in me. In essence, even though they knew it not, Alexa and my peers were praising my mother, Linda Kay Oldham, not me.

My mother died penniless, but she still left me an inheritance that is not only valuable in a moral and sentimental sense, but in a real income-earning and difference-making sense.

Thank you, Mom. For everything. I wish you knew how proud I am of you.