Not Just a Job

It was never – not ever – “just a job.” Not for him. It never was, never would be that.

Perhaps in a sense it was a calling. A way of life. A commitment. A work that called to him – called him by name, called him forever.

He was never a partway person. He was always an “all in” kinda guy. If it was worth doing, then he would do it – he would do it with everything in him.

And once he committed – signed up for the duration, made the full dedication, put himself out there – once in, he would never quit on it. Not ever.

His dad used to say, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.”

That stuck. That’s who his dad was – a man who stuck to it, whatever it might be.

His dad was a person of commitment, caring, concern.

And Joe acknowledged that his dad’s honesty, integrity, caring and commitment made his dad a force to be reckoned with.

Neither he or the father who helped shape his life were ever men to quit once they’d committed. Both tackled a task – no matter how tough it turned out to be – and they wouldn’t give up.

His dad helped design the very first jet simulator for the US government. If you’ve seen the movie “Apollo 13,” that jet simulator saved the lives of the men stranded in space.

And that father helped shape Joe to be a man who cared, a man who committed, a man who refused to quit a task until he’d reached the goal.

So compliance – corporate compliance – became his life work. He was never a halfway kinda person.

If a task was important, if it mattered, if it helped make a better world, well then he was all in. Period.

And so awarding him a lifetime achievement award – for all he’s accomplished in the field of corporate compliance – was a great event, a wonderful acknowledgement of who he is, who he was and who he would always be, a perfect award for him because he never gave up.

Never. Once he was in, he was all in.

That award shone a spotlight on him, as a person who cared deeply – always.

That award underlined what kind of person he is/was/always will be.

That award celebrates a man who cares – deeply, fiercely, wholeheartedly.

That award reminds us all what commitment really means.

It means to never quit. Never be discouraged. Never give up or give in. Never settle for anything less than the best.

That award powerfully spotlights all the best qualities that make Joe Murphy the man he is, was, has always been. And always will be.

And I want to remind Joe of how very, very proud of him his father would be today. Joe set goals, and he persisted to reach those goals. Joe worked hard, always. He cared deeply. He never gave up and he never will.

And I’m sure his father must be looking on as Joe accepts that award. His father must be so proud of him and all he has achieved.

I can guarantee Joe’s dad is up there grinning, nodding along and pleased as punch for all Joe has accomplished.

I know it must be so. Because I’m Joe’s sister, and I have always been in awe of all he has achieved. I betcha Dad’s in awe of it all, too.

Way to go, brother of mine. Way to Go!

© 2024 K. Leet

What do you think?

What in your work matters most?

Why do you do what you do?

Do you have a role model?

These are stories (usually fictional, but not always), based on insights and experiences from the world of compliance & ethics.