RECOGNITION BY ASSOCIATION

Fifty years ago I wrote a short magazine piece on the hidden agendas of conferences.  I argued that "for professional people personal satisfaction at conferences depends on the fulfillment, or movement toward fulfillment, of three familiar needs:

*Recognition - respect, status

*Affiliation - belonging, communication

*Audience - a platform, witnesses

I think this is still more or less true.  But in the area of recognition, I may have cheated a bit. Looking back on my career, I notice that I often hung out with presidents and deans and leaders of organizations. I was pleased and a bit surprized to be seen and sought out by them.  But I didn't risk running for high office or accepting terribly responsible positions myself. Unconciously I basked in prestige by association.

Lots of ambient glory, plenty of cocktails in penthouses, and without the blood, sweat and tears.

When people asked why I didn't try for any of those important jobs myself, I always said "I hate administration' or 'I wouldn't want that responsibility', or 'I hate marketing myself'.  And that was true. Or maybe I was not ambitious enough, or fearful of failure?  

                     

In any case I often satisfied my need for recognition, affiliation, and audience... by association. 

But over the years I've become  ENOUGH - all by MYSELF!  Its been nice to have something of my own to say, to make my own contribution - without adding the credentials of my accomplished friends.

Finding OURSELVES....what a concept.  And finding that we are quite ENOUGH...just as we are...with our own unique gifts and styles...and our own senses of humor !! ...NOT DEPENDENT on 'kings and queens' to anoint us with their blessing and their fame - by association!