DOE VPP Silver level recognition can be compared to a second place finish at the Olympics. Although we might better remember the athlete who wins, we should also remember the one who finished second. That competitor was better than everyone else in the world, save one.

We all want to be "first." It's our nature to strive to be the best. We are all conditioned culturally to strive for that degree of perfection. However, we must remind ourselves that no one is ever "first" all the time! Even the Olympic champion has worked hard, suffering many second or lower place finishes, eventually honing their performance to the world-class level necessary to finish first.

Becoming a Silver participant in VPP is no different than any other pursuit of excellence and it truly means that you have "won the silver." What we often fail to remember is that becoming a VPP participant places us in an elite group of "champions." While everyone may try out for this "team," only the best will be selected.

As with any competition, we must constantly work to refine and polish our performance until it becomes best in class as measured by anyone's scale. Placing this in perspective, in the DOE community we currently have seven VPP participants out of potentially over 100 eligible DOE contractors. Of that Eleven, two are Silver sites and remember that being one of seven – compared to over 100 eligible workplaces, places you in a most elite group of "champions." But more importantly, keep in mind that many have utilized the "Silver experience" to build not only a better program (Gold Star-level), but also a more consistent and stable program. VPP Silver participants often have less "let-down" in both performance and employee enthusiasm after finally achieving Gold Star recognition.

"Winning the gold"

After hearing all the "advantages" of Silver level recognition, you might say, "we want Silver recognition first, then we'll try for the Star." That may not be an unwise strategy for some, in fact, it may be the best approach. However, many companies and organizations have already met the challenges and successfully built best in class performance into their programs. Internal forces such as corporate policies and initiatives, and the external forces of a competitive market place may have served as "Silver-like" building experiences driving these programs to best in class performance. Having utilized these experiences to build a best in class program, these companies are ready for the recognition that they deserve – they have "won the gold."

"Being a Champion"

The success of a competitor is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence. It has been said that many times the difference between success and failure is not a lack of strength, nor a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will and commitment. This commitment is the price you have to pay to reach the point of success and become a champion and dedication to continuing this commitment is the price that you must pay to remain a champion. Like the Olympic champion, winning becomes habitual for those committed to success and nothing less will be accepted.

"Gold medals aren't really made of gold. They're made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts." - Dan Gable*

* In 1972, Dan Gable was a member of the U.S. wrestling team. He won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics without surrendering a point to any of his six opponents. He is the University of Iowa's all time winningest wrestling coach. In this capacity he has coached 152 all-Americans, 45 national champions, 106 Big Ten Champions and 10 Olympians, including four gold medallists. He can be considered an expert when discussing what it takes to "win the gold."