MVP Award – Pride and impostor syndrome

Last week I opened my email to see the news that I have received the 2020-2021 Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award in the Office Apps & Services category. It’s an honour that I am delighted by, but still haven’t fully absorbed.

Pride

The MVP Award recognises exceptional technical community leadership and contributions. That can include supporting user groups, speaking at events, blogging, contributing to forums, mentoring, among other contributions.

I genuinely love sharing knowledge and being recognised for it is an honour, and an opportunity that I am excited about exploring. In the next year I hope that I can continue to share what I learn through the program.

• About the Microsoft MVP Award

Impostor Syndrome

This bit is quite difficult to write. But in speaking to Community Program Manager Shiva Ford I realised it was an important part of the process.

In my 10 years working in the digital workplace space I have been fortunate to meet and make friends with many fantastic MVPs. When I was nominated for the award by Kirsty McGrath I was surprised as I never considered myself to be in the same caliber as the many dedicated MVPs whose advice I have relied upon for so long. It’s with the support of Kirsty, Shiva, Loryan Strant, Darrell Webster and so many others that I completed the nomination process.

When the email came through I slowly began to tell my family, friends and colleagues. I spoke to Kirsty, Shiva, and others. Through this I realised at the same time that I didn’t feel deserving of the award, but also what an achievement it is. It also caused me to think about what I can bring as an individual, and less about living up to the standards of my favourite MVPs.

• My Microsoft MVP Profile

Goals