Climbing

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.