These are some of the most famous and highly anticipated words in the film and motion picture industry since the formation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1927. Throughout its 87 year history; this organization has set a level of standards, rules, and accreditation to the very best within the branches of its industry: actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers. And that is where it all started. Originally named the Academy Award of Merit, and later nicknamed, “Oscar,” in 1939; the purpose of these Gold plated statuettes is to pay tribute to outstanding moviemaking achievements and therefore encourage excellence in all facets of motion picture production. Throughout the years those original five branches of the Academy would now recognize up to 25 regular categories just last night, being broadcasted and watched around the globe, from arrivals of the biggest names in Hollywood to walk “the red carpet” through each secret envelope being opened and winners announced live. Although from the public perception you may all want to watch the amazing wardrobes warn on the Red Carpet; the industry knows the honor of receiving an Oscar is unparalleled. It not only recognizes the best of the best but is voted on by their own peers. And thus there may be times where, as the public, we may not even recognize who the award was going to; for it stands tried and true that not everything is won based on how much money is made or the number of tickets sold. So, Imagine if we all took that approach within our own industries.

I understand corporations like to award their rising stars based on performance of numbers because those are much more easily tabulated. And most industries are highly regulated to try to encourage morals, values, ethics, and best business practices by way of legal consequences and fines if not followed; making a lot of grey areas for regulators to try to govern. Communities have even opened up awards for consumers to “vote” for their favorite local businesses but sometimes seem to go to the ones that pay the most for advertising or ask their friends to vote them in, all so they can hang their paper acknowledgement on the wall. But imagine if, as businesses, industries, even our regulators; we utilized one of the oldest, most effective, tools out there to encourage these best business practices…Peer Pressure. If each industry had its own nationwide,annual, Academy of Awards or Oscar, per say; only being voted on by those within the industry itself to recognize their own: Leaders, Support Teams, Service, Foundation Philosophy, and Best Practices…how much harder would one work towards that statuette. In the end, everyone wins when this is created, supported, and implemented. It should not only be about what you may risk if you are fined by a regulator but by the award you are recognized with amongst your peers as to the efforts you put forth. Unfortunately I have witnessed many throughout my leadership career that strived for numbers and forsaken their own style or reputation even to achieve those. By embracing their individual style, doing what is right; it rewards our peers, our industries, our economy, Everyone.

So, ask yourself, who would your Oscar go to?