It was three hours into a communications seminar. I was well prepared and doing the voodoo I normally do so well. Yet by lunch I felt I had lost control of the group, wasn’t adding value and was making a fool of myself.
I’ve given hour after hour of seminars in the US, UK and Australia. I’ve worked in front of thousands of people who write comments about me like “the best I’ve seen” and “Jean is awesome!”
What was going on?
I had no time to figure it out. In forty-five minutes I had to face this group again, and I didn’t know what to do. Often I would call a trusted friend, but I needed something more: I needed to speak to a colleague. Speaking to a colleague when I felt this vulnerable felt like a risk. After so much time building credibility with a peer in my business, would I be throwing it away by showing my underbelly?
I called Rachel Karu of Kruz Consulting with whom I have a warm relationship. She was at her home office, thank goodness, and had a few minutes to talk. She listened and gave me some wise words. Words that only a person who’s “been there” could give. I could tell she was honored that I included her in my awkward, uncertain and imperfect moment. And now I get to expand my definition of trusted friend to include colleagues like Rachel.
By the end of the class that day, I was loose, enjoying the group and certain that they were getting the seminar they paid for. The comments they left included “the best I’ve seen” and “Jean is awesome!”
