I actually took a few days off once just so that my boss would realize how much I did. I obviously needed the time off too, but once I got back my boss started helping me manage my workload. He didn't realize how much was on my plate until he had to do it. And that was all the routine day-to-day stuff, he actually wasn't capable of handling any of the DBA tasks I do. Since, we've actually hired 3 different people to do jobs I used to do (and other tasks, of course; they're focused job descriptions allow them to perform those tasks much better than I ever could). I definitely appreciate what those people do, because I was there once and their existance allows me to focus on the job that I do.

Also, as a manufacturing company, we have production and office workers. I'm good friends with many of the production worked, and try to never think of them being on a lower "level" than I am. Without them, we wouldn't have anything to sell. Our company is a little unique in that I think most people realize this and feel the same way. We value every cog in the machine, large or small; they all have a place and without one, the machine would not operate as well.

--J