At ApplicantOne, we take pride in our employees and their successes. As a rapidly growing company, sometimes it’s tough to stop and ask “how has your experience been with us thus far?” We would like to assume that all is well, but assumptions are dangerous and we’re taking back initiatives to make sure that those employees are happy with where they are at and where AO is at as a whole. SO, with that in mind we’re beginning a monthly testimony series where one employee a month gets to share his/her story on the blog.

Today, we’re highlighting our Senior UX/UI Designer, Luis Gill, or as we know him in the office, Big Lue. This all started with Lue in particular when he sent a wonderful word of encouragement to our office messaging channel about two weeks ago. His passion and commitment to ApplicantOne and to all of his co-workers is something to be admired, so we figured we would give him the spotlight first. We hope you enjoy!

The following is written by Luis Gill, UX/UI Designer at ApplicantOne, Inc.

It is often said that those who rely on quotes from other people, seldom have thoughts of their own. Comically, even that statement could be considered a quote on itself but the truth is, I find Goethe’s remarks so incredibly apropos to the context of my narrative today that I must seize the opportunity to utilize it:

“Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be, and he will become as he can and should be”.

No question about it; excepting perhaps - and with Johan’s permission, a simple revision that makes his quote a bit more holistic in scope by replacing the word “man” for “person”. Obviously, the pronouns in such version would morph accordingly.

It is that simple.

All of us, men and women, humans, are endowed with raw potential. One that few can identify and even fewer can unlock to the fullest. From an early age, we are expected to discover, nurture and further our own potential, grounding it heavily on guidance (parental or otherwise), environment, our own experiences, experiences of others, its derived achievements and abysmal failures. In the end, this multitude of events mold the clay that eventually becomes your true self.

However, we are not infallible. Geographical location, race, creed and even gender may cause unsurmountable throes for many. A prolonged process of trial and error could be catastrophic. This may render a person feeling unaccomplished. Unfulfilled. Unworthy.

Lost potential…

Now if you would, please allow me to stray from this line of thought temporarily so I can tell you a little bit more about me.

In my life, I have not known riches nor wealth. No privilege. I was born in a place ravaged by social injustice and turmoil in the southern portion of the American continent. I remember those first years of my life when staying close to the ground avoiding stray bullets was considered normal. Even today when telling the story, the accounts of those long-faded days that often rival fiction, meet my audience with the facial spasm that commonly accompanies incredulity.

I only bring that up so we can start debunking what seems to be one of many false premises we are led to believe. Geography does not necessarily mean destiny.

Despite those humble beginnings, I’ve always had this fire in me. The effervescence of an indomitable will that kept energizing my thirst for achievement. That does not make me special, we are all given this spark, this fire and that’s how I came to be here. I may have been born in a different country, but I was made in America; I was reborn here. It gave me wings, hope, a wonderful wife, a career. Channeled my inner fire as it has done for so many who have embraced it as their home. Their country. Our country. It has instilled in me so much sense of pride and belonging that when I heard the call – without hesitation, I volunteered for the U.S. armed forces. It is noteworthy, that though there may have been yet another flag in my heart at first, the good-old red, white and blue is deeply nested in my chest, destined to always fly forward resting on my uniform’s left shoulder. Forever.

To summarize, round up and illustrate my point, once again I refer to the words of better men; for as Marcel Proust said:

“Even though nothing changes, if I change, everything changes.”

…and thus, I have changed.

For the last 14 years of my professional life, I have seen - and worked with, all kinds of colorful characters. From the ultra-laid-back hip, to the shadiest most suspicious individuals in leading roles. I’ve had to adjust-to or deal-with (endure, rather) many sycophants-turned-backstabbers, emotionally unstable, less-than-reputable types and I guess, this hardened me to a point that I started believing that work ethics and true care for the individual were part of an unachievable utopic pipe dream.

How wrong I was:...

This whole hardening process, leads you to an intransigent state where, “believing” takes a bit more than just “seeing” and in a way, we all go through stages like this in life. Whether a succession of bad personal (and professional) relationships, assorted experiences, etc. It does not matter. We are subtly conditioned to believe we will not find “the right one” or “the right place/fit” and this, is yet another false premise.

So, it becomes imperative that we understand that, those seeking to unlock our full potential (including ourselves) are obligated to spend time in developing the most important resource within any operation; The human element; which has inexorably led me to this point in my career.

I have been at incredible odds with myself ever since I’ve joined ApplicantOne. Simply put: I never knew places like this actually existed! How could I? My experiences dictated that the norm was exceptionally leaning towards the diametrically opposite side, completely contravening everything I knew before. Everything I’ve experienced up to this moment.

Ironically, surely comes the day when I am here with you. I find myself in a place where these false premises and paradigms are quickly shattered and again, I am at a loss. My natural immediate reaction is a dubious surprise but then, I started seeing ApplicantOne and everyone who works here through the eye of their own potential. Their spark. Their fire. One that undeniably reflects my own. I now see their true value and try to push them to be their best version. Just as I would myself. Perhaps this is why I came to be seen among my co-workers-turned-family as a bit of a “motivator” but, I am not.

Truth is:

THEY. MOTIVATE. ME.

Thus, we’ve come full circle. We’ve got the spark, we’ve got the vibe, we’ve got the fire. We are here!

Everyone in this family is treated not as they are but, as they should be. That’s why we shine. That’s why we grow and continue doing so exponentially.

My pursuit of happiness has led me, work-wise, here. I am fulfilled.

There used to be a time when I came home from work tired, feeling deteriorated and unappreciated. I walked through the door and addressed my wife simply stating in gloomy tones: “I’m here”. Conversely, since I have been working with this company and, in the company of those who make it so, my entire posture has changed. I have changed. Revitalized.

Now I walk through the door and with allegro tones not just state but, assert:

“Honey, I’m HOME!”