My mom introduced to this reality type show dubbed Undercover Boss. I don't seem to catch it on television when I am home, but when I go to visit there seems to be a marathon on every time (holidays mostly). So, I have only caught a few intriguing episodes. I do not have criticism of the show, but after seeing episodes here and there for the last year, I have experienced a personal revelation that along with an special email today I received from the Founder/Owner of a company I give my heart and time to, I felt I should get my blog updated, moving forward, and reintroduced with this topic in mind.
I noticed something about the companies on Undercover Boss that is an extremely different scenario where I now work and something which I am joyfully grateful. For the show to work, the boss- whether owners or CEO- have to be unrecognized by the employees they shadow for a day. As each episode wraps, the boss is revealed undisguised and generously offers a gift to the blessed shadowed employee. It appears to me, even after being revealed, most of the employees do not recognize or know the boss in the slightest. Thus, why the show works so well with cloak-and-dagger appeal. However, it is exactly clandestine if the boss is so far removed the employees wouldn't recognize him/her/them anyways.
This is where my revelation occurred. I know Cindy Monroe and many of the key players in the Home Office. Ok, I do not "know" any of them. We are not friends and I do not work even remotely close to the building they work in (though I was raised nearby). However, the grand leaders of this company are extremely visual. I know their faces, their voices, their fashion, and a little about their families. They are featured in ads, articles, training materials, videos, social media; they are on conference calls with me and attend national events I wouldn't miss. Today I received an email from Cindy Monroe, the founder of this company that has changed my life. I got teary-eyed, excited, joyful, amazed when I saw it. I printed out the email to heart palpitations and about fell out of my swiveling chair.
A few unknown people could stake out one of my training meetings and I wouldn't know they were from the Home Office; however I feel quite blessed knowing I know the company leadership well enough they couldn't possibly walk in a room undercover. Now that speaks volumes to me about the length they go to in order to care, celebrate, train, and invest each and every one of us.
