The air was thick with anticipation as Black Tribe Limited geared up for its annual Employee End-of-Year Awards Ceremony. What began as a cheerful celebration of wins turned into a lively debate that had the entire office buzzing for days. The awards, meant to recognize and honour outstanding contributions, ended up sparking conversations that ranged from outright hilarious to surprisingly profound.
Here’s a front-row seat to all the drama, humour, and lessons learned.
Table of Contents
The Glitz and Glamour of Recognition
The awards night was nothing short of spectacular. From the shimmering décor to the contagious energy, it was clear that the Black Tribe team knew how to throw a party. The categories up for grabs were:
- Employee of the Year – The crème de la crème of the workforce.
- Consistent Employee – The rock-solid performer who never falters.
- Collaborative Employee – The glue that holds team spirit together.
The room was a buzz with chatter about who would win. Predictions were being whispered, alliances formed, and the office WhatsApp group was lit with emojis and memes.
The Controversy: Who Deserves Consistency?
The highlight of the evening? The Consistent Employee Award and not for the reasons anyone expected.
When the emcee, in his booming voice, announced Kwame as the winner, there was a brief moment of stunned silence, followed by polite applause peppered with awkward laughter. The Accounts Officer, known for his laser-sharp focus and methodical approach, walked up to collect his plaque, beaming with pride. But in the crowd, whispers were already bubbling over.
“Kwame? Really?” a voice muttered near the dessert table. “Did we all forget the three-week saga of his missing ledger report?”
Before the emcee could even hand over the mic for Kwame’s acceptance speech, Gloria from HR leaned over to a colleague and said, “I bet he won because his department campaigned for him. He’s consistent alright—consistently the first to leave when there’s overtime!”
The room was a powder keg of opinions, and it didn’t take long for the debate to ignite.
Team Kwame vs. Team Gloria
While some staunchly defended Kwame, citing his flawless attendance and punctual report submissions, others felt the award belonged to Gloria, the quiet yet relentless HR Assistant who had spent countless nights resolving payroll issues and ensuring smooth onboarding processes for new hires.
“Gloria is literally the backbone of this company!” declared Selorm from Marketing, gesturing emphatically with his plate of Jollof.
But Team Kwame wasn’t backing down.
“It’s not just about working late,” retorted Edem from Finance. “Kwame’s consistency isn’t flashy, but it’s reliable. He gets things done before they become problems.”
And then, of course, there were the neutral parties, the ones more invested in their plates of Jollof than the drama unfolding around them.
“Consistent or not, can we talk about why the drinks ran out before the dessert?” someone quipped, trying to defuse the tension.
The Other Awards: No Escape from Drama
The Employee of the Year Award, thankfully, was met with unanimous agreement. Ama, the dynamic project manager who had secured two major partnerships while juggling her wedding preparations, was a clear favourite. Even her biggest detractors couldn’t deny her contributions.
“Ama deserves it,” said one colleague begrudgingly. “But let’s not act like her kelewele-sharing habits didn’t sway some votes.”
Then, there was the Collaborative Employee Award, which went to Malik from IT. Known for fixing laptops with a smile and rescuing presentations minutes before deadlines, Malik was beloved across departments. But even his win didn’t escape commentary.
“Collaborative?” joked Nana from Sales. “Malik just doesn’t know how to say no. He’s fixing problems he didn’t cause!”
The Most Engaged Employee of the Year Award: The Crown Jewel of the Night
If there was one award that had everyone on the edge of their seats, it was the Most Engaged Employee of the Year. This coveted title wasn’t just about showing up; it was about showing up with passion and purpose and that unmistakable spark that lights up the workplace.
The nominees for this category read like a who’s who of Black Tribe’s most vibrant personalities. Each one brought their A-game throughout the year, and the stakes were high.
- Kofi “The Energizer” Asare from Sales: Known for rallying the team during brainstorming sessions and his infectious energy during team-building retreats.
- Akosua “The Fixer” Mensah from Customer Service: Always the first to volunteer for challenging tasks, her desk was a magnet for colleagues seeking advice or just a friendly chat.
- Daniel “Ideas Guy” Sackey from Marketing: The one who could turn a dull Monday into a carnival of creativity with his big-picture thinking and quirky humour.
And the Winner Is…
As the drumroll played, the emcee finally declared, “The Most Engaged Employee of the Year is… AKOSUA MENSAH!”
The room erupted in applause as Akosua walked up to the stage, her signature smile lighting up the room. Known for her relentless positivity and unwavering dedication, Akosua was a natural choice.
But the chatter in the room began almost immediately.
“I mean, she deserves it, but Daniel is the life of the office,” whispered one colleague to another. “Have you seen his meme game on the office WhatsApp group?”
Others chimed in, sharing stories of Akosua’s knack for defusing tense situations with a well-timed joke or going above and beyond to ensure the customer satisfaction ratings remained stellar.
Why Akosua Won
What tipped the scales in Akosua’s favour wasn’t just her work ethic; it was her ability to connect with everyone. From mentoring interns to brainstorming solutions with the leadership team, Akosua had a rare ability to inspire collaboration across all levels.
“She makes you feel heard, no matter how busy she is,” said one colleague. “And when she says, ‘We’ve got this,’ you actually believe her.”
Engagement: The Secret Sauce
The award sparked discussions about what engagement truly means. Is it about showing enthusiasm for work tasks? Building strong interpersonal relationships? Or just being the person everyone looks forward to seeing on Monday mornings?
For Black Tribe, it was all of the above. Akosua’s win reminded everyone that engagement isn’t about being loud or flashy; it’s about making meaningful contributions, fostering connections, and leaving a positive imprint on the workplace culture.
The Moral: Engagement Is Everyone’s Responsibility
As the night wrapped up, the office came to a collective realization: engagement is more than an individual trait; it’s a ripple effect. The more engaged one person is, the more they inspire others to bring their best selves to work.
The debates may continue, and Daniel might already be plotting his meme strategy for next year’s awards, but one thing is certain, celebrating engagement, in all its forms, strengthens the heartbeat of any workplace.
Here’s to another year of energy, passion, and the people who make work worth showing up for!
What Drives Votes? The Human Factor
As the night wore on, it became clear that awards in the workplace are rarely just about numbers or outcomes. Voting is often influenced by personal connections, shared experiences, and, yes, even the occasional lunch treat.
“I voted for Gloria because she helped me with my CV,” admitted one colleague. “Kwame? Nah, he never even says good morning.”
On the flip side, some votes for Kwame came down to sheer visibility. “You can’t miss him; he’s always the first person in the building!”
The evening ended on a high note, with plenty of laughter, more than a few side-eyes, and a collective understanding that recognition is a complex, often subjective process.
The Moral of the Story: Celebrate the Wins
While the debates were lively, the overarching theme of the evening wasn’t lost: the importance of celebrating wins and recognizing contributions, big and small. Whether you’re an overachieving project manager, a dependable accounts officer, or a quiet force in HR, every effort contributes to the bigger picture.
At the heart of it all, the awards reminded everyone of one simple truth: acknowledgement matters. It fuels motivation, strengthens bonds, and inspires others to aim higher.
And who knows?
Maybe next year’s awards will bring even more surprises, perhaps with a little extra drink supply and a lot less drama.
Until then, have a Merry Christmas & a Prosperous New Year!
