This post was originally published here
Today I’m going to write about a different topic, we can say that is related to technology but not exactly a technical blog post. And no, I’m not feeling special (I’m always feeling special but in different contexts), proud and honored today because it’s my birthday.
January 1st, 2011, will always be a special day for me, it was the day I had the honor of being awarded Microsoft Most Value Professional (MVP) for the first time which was an unexpected good surprise. This is my 7th straight year on the MVP Program and since the first day, it has been a delighted journey and experience. I was the first and for many years the only MVP at my company DevScope but, contrary to what many people might think, is was not for that reason also that I could feel special. I’m feeling special for somehow, directly or indirectly, being able to help to grow the spirit of community collaboration, a little more (because it always existed), internally at the company and sometimes, maybe, by serving as a mentor, a role model or an inspiration to others. But especially by encouraging and helping everyone to start contributing and share their knowledge with the communities, often challenged them to collaborate with me on small projects.
I’m feeling special, proud and honored today to be part of a company who after all these years still keeps their main core identities, with a focus on cutting-edge technology, early adopter in most cases, focus on innovation and helping with the needs of our clients, but without losing the focus on the people, helping them to grow personal and professional. I’m feeling special, proud and honored today because I can say that I work with a team of amazing professionals and special to be able to realize that we already have 3 MVPs at DevScope, one former MVP and one Microsoft Regional Director (there are not many companies worldwide that can boast on these facts).
I’m feeling special, proud and honored today, not also for working with such hard working and talented team, but also, for being able to realize that new talents are being formed.
… but let’s also be fair, I way also feeling special, proud and honored today because it is my birthday and I have an amazing family, an amazing job and the best friends in the world!