Zander and Zander stated, “Certain things are better done in person.” I love this line! I agree with its premise. There are times when a face-to-face is the best method to convey your true sentiment. “Enrollment,” that spark of possibility that you generate with your passion and being in the present. I am a firm believer in never being afraid to ask for what you want. The “worst” response you can get is a “no” but there is always that possibility of getting a “yes.” I know that this is the age of technology and that we have email, Skype, iChat, a variety of ways to communicate. But the turning point can be achieved in the way you present yourself in person. This can persuade and get a person to agree to do something that they had not even considered until you raised the point. A “no” may be an invitation to enrollment if new possibilities can be introduced that will spark a different way of doing things. Zander asking for the two quarters when they did not have change for the $10 bill. Turned the “no” into a “yes.”
 |
Cover: The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Zander & Zander 2000. |
On a trip to New Jersey for a conference we checked into the hotel in the late afternoon. The hotel manager checked me into the hotel. He was visibly a bit irritated and a little weary. I chatted with him, got him to smile, and eventually laugh. I thanked him for his very courteous service and how welcoming he had been. The next morning in the hotel restaurant I was seated at the table about five of my friends, one of whom was short on funds so he was only having coffee. Well, the manager stopped by the table and greeted us. I smiled and asked why he was still working since he worked so late the evening before. He smiled and said he wanted to make sure our group was well taken care of before he went home. (He had been on duty all night.) I thanked him for his consideration. He then asked if there was anything he could do for me and I jokingly responded, “You can buy breakfast.” Much to our surprise, he smiled called our waitress over and told her that there would be no bill for our table. We all thanked him for his generosity. My friend who only had coffee was overjoyed and got to eat a full meal.
The story of “Anthony” the ten-year old who energetically conducted the orchestra bought tears to my eyes. I love it when we can give our children the opportunity to operate outside of the boxes in which society has placed them. They quite often exceed even their own the expectations if given positive encouragement.
The concept of “being the board” was interesting in that you can change your circumstances by changing your perspective and the way you handle the situation. Not taking the blame or assigning blame to someone else but looking within to change yourself and how you view things. Developing the “vision” that opens up the “sparks for possibilities” results in creating the environments that generate certain conversations. And of course relinquishing the “I” mentality and incorporating the “WE” mentality that looks at what is best for the whole and not just the individual.
Rosetta, Great story about the conference in New Jersey. We both seemed as though the same parts of the book spoke to us. I also enjoyed the young boy being the conductor and especially how the $10 "no" turned to a "yes" with a sense of good feeling and better day for the three men.
ReplyDeleteI love the way that you say what it is you have to say. Your comments on the statement “Certain things are better done in person.” Are right on. I used to work with a manager who made a comment about cold calling. He said to me “Chuck, you don’t have the business now.” This changed my whole perspective as to how I should do my new job, which was sales. As a new sales person I was worried about the rejection I was getting when I walked into a business.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on your comments about “Anthony”. I feel strongly if we give our children the opportunity to do great things they will. Even if it is only great to them, they will forever remember it.
Thank you for your reflections Rosetta. How interesting that the art of face to face is still so touching even in this age of symbianism. I loved your story of the Jersey trip, a great example of fueling that spark. You also inherently employed being 'we' instead of I. Had you just been an 'I' you wouldn't have concerned yourself so much about your friends. What a gift. Also, the story of Anthony you point out here. He not only has the chance to fully express himself but also reminds us be in tune with our inner child.
ReplyDeleteRosetta - I commend you on your willingness to be the spark of light to inspire the best of the hotel manager, and I'm sure everyone you connect with on your path. Your passion and enthusiasm are contagious!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing and you are so right that it just takes a moment to connect with someone else, share a smile and be open and they'll think differently about you (in a positive way). That's worth more than a cup of coffee.
ReplyDelete