Unless you've been living under a rock, you know who Joan Miss is. (If you don't, clear your calendar for a few hours and then ask me...)

As she leaves the school she's known for more than thirty years, and moves to another school, there is a flood of photos, captions, memories, etc. being shared by so many many people who absolutely adore her.

But Joan Miss cannot be Joan Miss without two greatest people in her life: Jesus, and Elango Annan.

The first, you know about.

The second, let me tell you now through three stories.

Back in 2013, when I started working in advertising for Elango Annan, I sensed that someone in the office wasn't being too open/honest with me. I could see furtive looks, and it really seemed like they were holding something back. Me, trying to be the dutiful employee, went up to my boss and told him during one of our conversations: "I think he's got something against me."

Elango Annan simply said, "Apdiyaa?" and walked out of his office, and pulled that colleague in and said, "Hey, Dan feels like you've got something against him. Maybe you both should talk and work it out."

I'm sitting there like a deer caught in headlights, barely able to nod when my colleague said, "Nothing like that - I have no problems with you; if there's anything anytime, feel free to walk up to me and tell me da."

LESSON 1: TAKE ISSUES UP DIRECTLY WITH THE CONCERNED PERSON BEFORE TAKING IT UP WITH THE BOSS. (Also: open and honest communication)

Once, I was in the car with Elango Annan and two colleagues driving back from a not-so-great meeting. The people on the other side had been quite nasty, not very accommodating or professional. Elango Annan spit out an expletive when referring to them. It's the only time I've heard him utter that word in twenty years of knowing him. It's also the most incensed I've ever seen him.

Today, I honestly don't remember what the previous meeting was about, or what made Elango Annan so angry. But I do know this: I understood that day that anybody in our team could stand up against people if need be, and my boss, Elango Annan would back me.

LESSON 2: VICIOUSLY GUARD AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE ENTRUSTED TO YOUR PROFESSIONAL CARE.

This last story comes from 2017, about a month before I quit advertising.

I had handed in my resignation, and I was mentally already wrapping everything up in my head. And we had another meeting.

My formal shoes had come apart, but I didn't feel like purchasing brand new formal shoes just for the last few weeks in advertising. (Also: I dislike shoes)

So I showed up to work that day in sandals.

I still can't shake the image of him seeing me that day in the office and going, "You brought a change of shoes?" and I was stammering to tell him no, this is all I had.

He muttered to himself, "He can't come to the meeting, what can we do..."

The team actually debated this for a bit, and finally decided that I could go.

I went and bought a pair of formal shoes that afternoon, right after the meeting.

LESSON 3: DO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO MAINTAIN THE DECORUM FOR A SITUATION - WHETHER SHOES, CLOTHES, PRINTOUTS, PRESENTATIONS OR ANYTHING ELSE.

These may seem simple to many of you, but they are integral to how I do things now. Maybe you've seen them displayed in the way I work, or maybe you haven't.

But the amazing man that Elango Annan is, is much much bigger than just these three things.

And the stalwart person that Joan Miss has been able to be, is partly because of this man.

After my parents, this is the couple that has had the most impact in making me into the person I am today.

I hope I never let all of you forget that.