Kinahanglan mosikat! There are those around us
who claim the glory or credit of what we work or do. These persons are usually
hungry for recognition to the point that they will claim which is basically NOT
theirs. This often create tension and conflict in the group or organization
since credit must be given where it is due.
You
often come across people who credit themselves for other people’s achievements
instead of making their own. They claim other people’s triumphs as their own
and take advantage of the applause they receive from unknowing spectators. They
think that nobody will find out their secret and feed off of the blind
recognition they receive.
There
are also people who lie about their identities as a way to extol how important
and valuable they are. They tell constant, continuous lies and invent a life
for themselves that they wish they had, or they exaggerate their achievements
to make them seem more important than they are. For some, anything goes in this
game, where they seek to quench their thirst for recognition (exploringyourmind.com).
This
is the time when the person must be aware of his/her motivations since the NEED
to be recognized overpowers what is GOOD. The hunger is now intense to the
point that he/she does not mind societal norms as long as the need must be met.
But as the constant discourse expands, this goes back to deficits during
childhood.
As
children, hopefully we get lots of recognition, praise, and support, assuming
we have decent attentive parents. Not everyone does, but most do. Either way,
as we grow into adult years, we get less and less, and maybe no valuing
recognition depending on how supportive our relationships are. Once we are
working, maybe we get a performance review once per year. Very often it is
focused on areas we can improve, and not to celebrate our accomplishments and
achievements (Warmerdam, 2018).
There
are times when a mere observer wonders what drives a person to be
highly-competitive to the point that he/she steps on the necks of others. This
person (if he/she leads a group) does not mind if others are already suffering
or being drained out as long as the goal to WIN or be recognized must be met.
This is quiet dangerous since the leader might be unreflective. Introspection
is needed so that the common good will be ventured.
A
powerful, authentic leader does not need recognition to feel good. They know
that their skills, approaches and leadership are making a difference. They get
on with the job, leaving self-consciousness behind, negating the need for
others to confirm how great they are. Sadly most of our leaders are not driven
by their own expressions of humility but rather by their egos. The pursuit of
financial reward and career status to demonstrate individual success is a
self-assurance strategy. Just as control freaks write lists upon lists and have
the complete inability to delegate, egotistical leaders begin to arrogantly
believe that they deserve recognition and a clear and successful career path
(Villani, 2013).
Individuals
who are also competitive resort to pulling others down and highly critical on
the achievements of others. These people will spread vile rumors and often
destroy the reputation of those who are achieving. They could not reach the
point of appreciation since their need overpowers the normal reaction of
recognizing the achievements of others. They even see these people as threats
to their own stability.
But
they could never be stabilized since there is an unstable urge to be on top.
There is an unquenched thirst to be addressed. That is the reason why signs and
symptoms of being irritable and moody arise. Such mood often radiates and could
affect relationships…
According
to Hamm (2009), the painful truth, though, is that such recognition is
fleeting. After the impressed people have gone away and your big purchase is
forgotten about, you’re left with some big bills and a budget that’s being
stretched to its limit to cover it. The recognition is over but you’re still
hungry for it.
It
is limiting to be enslaved in that need. There are better things to do in life
with the people you love and there are still experiences to venture. It is good
to be recognized by your efforts but to constantly hunger for it is another
story.
Let others shine as well.
