Favorite People 2: Samantha Jones

I got an offline message from Sam requesting me to complete by December 31 my Letter of Recommendation for her admission to Grad School. While I would always gladly help Sam out, part of me (the selfish part hehe) didn’t want to do it…It somehow meant I was slowly but surely surrendering to the strong possibility that she'll leave the company soon to study abroad for the next two years. (Yes, yes, obviously, I still have not accepted it.)

Sam is my teammate in OD, and she’s one of the company’s top talents. I described her to JC back in 2007 as “the only one I want for the role,” to Vince as “a gem in every way” (yiheeee), to Candy as “mature beyond her years,” to Javi as “down-to-earth and street smart,” and to the Employee Data & Rewards Leadership Team as “someone I trust very much.”

Her contributions to the org are significant. Sam makes things happen. Any challenge thrown her way -- whether it be me not taking no for an answer, being stretched beyond what’s comfortable, bringing never-before ideas to life, or getting people who don’t have much in common to work for a common goal -- she always steps up and comes through excellently!

My first impression of Sam when I started working with her on adhoc projects was “standoffish” (this she doesn’t know!). This was quickly dispelled as I got to know her better. How do I begin to describe the comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to measure words nor filter thoughts? That’s how it is with Sam. She’s one of the few people at work who knows me really well (including my mischievous and free-spirited side), who has seen me at my worst (a.k.a. MOWing and Dragon Lady moments) and likes me anyway (HAHAHA assuming!). Sam has been and continues to be a great friend to me -- the kind who will move heaven and earth to help, quietly and unpretentiously, but with all sincerity and affection.

I truly hope in the one year we’ve worked together, I’ve managed to convey to her how much I value her both as a partner-in-crime and as a friend, and how grateful I am. I’ll always be rooting for her. And I’ll do so in simple ways, like writing glowing letters of recommendation to her preferred schools...even if it pains me to do it hehehe. :)