The National Science Foundation, 1992

Erik Bloch, Director of the NSF, presented me with a certificate for "Outstanding Performance."

The McGregor Principle states that no one can get an Outstanding the 1st year on the job. You have to wait until the 2nd so the boss can claim credit for all you have learned under him/her!

The McGregor Principle has invariably held true throughout my 20 plus years as a Fed.