I've been with my present employer for 11 years, and prior to that, with a DC environmental consulting firm. In that time, I can honestly say that I've never gotten choked up at an office holiday party.

Until now.

Last night our CEO was announcing the winners of our "Superlative Awards" to employees who received the most votes from all of us in a variety of categories. With each name called, the honored employee dutifully went up, took their Oscar-like trophy, shook hands with the CEO and sat down.

Things changed when the "Most Likely to Help a Colleague" award was announced. The recipient, an account executive named Noel Roman, shocked us all when he wrapped his 6 foot-plus frame around our CEO to embrace him enthusiastically with both arms. Noel said a few kind words and sat down.

It was when Noel's name was called for a second award that he brought the room to a standstill. This was the big one, the final one of the evening...our company's "MVP."

Noel repeated the hug, and then paused in front of us. He looked at the ceiling for what seemed like a long while. The room fell silent. The side conversations stopped. We all looked at him expectantly. Then he looked back at all of us and spoke in a voice that was ever-so-slightly cracking with emotion.

What he said went something like this: 

"We all come to work together to the same place for the same reason. It's all of us together, working to strengthen the company together. So, I feel like I am accepting this award for everyone here."

In one fell swoop, he changed the tone of the whole event. He was honored. He was humbled. And, best of all, he reminded us all why we do what we do every day.

Noel is one of those unique individuals who brings enthusiasm to his work every single day. But it goes way beyond that. He was the only one to offer help to one of my colleagues as she struggled moving heavy boxes a few months ago. He was among the first to volunteer his time to take the 6-week Due Diligence University Course in October because he knew that it would help him do his job even better. Last year he was among a small group specially selected by an executive committee to participate in the company's first internal mentoring program. A few years back, a team of us trained for the New Haven Labor Day 20K road race, and even though he didn't feel adequately trained by the time race day arrived, he had committed to it, drove an hour at 7am, showed up with his characteristically upbeat smile, and completed a tough race. He's always there with a pleasant attitude, always interested in more than just "how's it going?"

These attributes are not ones that are learned in company training. They're inherent and unfortunately, all too rare.

Last night, Noel raised the camaraderie quotient of our holiday party ten-fold. I thought about what he said during my entire 40-minute drive home. It felt particularly meaningful coming at the end of a pretty tough year in an industry heavy with uncertainty about the present--and anxiety about next year. As someone else said, "I haven't felt a warm feeling like that in a long time." Nor have I.

I hope all of you have a "Noel" in your midst. If not, I hope you get one.

Happy holidays