For three months (out of every 10) five of us focus on developing a training program. We work hard to be creative, we put in extra hours, we decline invitations, we focus on fun, and we always keep in the front of our minds the singular fact that the 200 people attending have chosen to, aren’t being paid to be there, and must receive a very real Return On Investment for their personal businesses.

Individually the 200 people don’t think about anyone but them self.
That’s natural.
They don’t know our focus in on them and their benefit; they simply don’t give this the same value we do.
That’s natural too.

When one of them cancels at the last minute, with the self-validating reason “I know all this,  just give me the handouts, I don’t need your information” I admit to being susceptible to a deep blue funk.
I think that’s natural, too.
And I try my very best to suck it up, understand, and get over myself.

But this post isn’t about whining . . . really!
This post is to say thank you to the two people who lifted me out of self pity.

The first was Hildee Isaacs.
At 7:34 on Sunday morning she sent an email:

“I never thought to email visitors a copy of my InfoMinute! I will definitely do this in the future, thanks!

I thought your entire team did a highly energized, well informed and professional training. I wish it could have been 30 minutes longer to allow for more Q & A.

Thanks for the opportunities you offer me!”

Here’s what made me sing with a smile: she told me where she got value.
She didn’t say “good info” –not much value in that–she said “I never thought to email visitors a copy of my InfoMinute! I will definitely do this in the future.”
That’s her value.
I need to know that she gets value.
Her ROI is my focus.

Next she complimented my team.
Oh, I’m grateful for that.
They’ve worked so hard, and for her to notice makes it worthwhile.
And then . . .  then, she asked for more! More! 30 minutes MORE!
She validated the benefit!

YOWZA!
My feet still hurt,
my hips are still sore,
I’m not looking forward to the 4am alarm clock to set up tables,
or schlepping in six 2.5 gallon water jugs in the rain,
or coming back to a InBox that will take three days to respond to…

But I don’t care, because she got benefit. YAY!

Two hours later Dan Hagaman’s email hit my box:

“I am scheduled to attend officer training on Monday and am unfortunately stuck in Baltimore due to the snow storm of the century. It will be Monday evening before I will be able to get a flight back to Atlanta. I really never dreamed that I would be stuck in Baltimore. What can I do about the training? Any way to reschedule something for middle of the week before my Team’s regulary scheduled meeting on Friday? Please let me know. Thank you!!!”

Thank you, Dan Hagaman.

Thank  for letting me know with a reason–before, instead of an excuse–after.
Thank you for suggesting a quick recoup.
Thank you for validating what you missed, and wanting to have it before you need it.

Perhaps not coincidentally Hildee and Dan are on the same Team. I’m betting their like responses are an indication of great Team leadership. So, my loud THANK YOU to the leaders who carry the torch.

Happier now, in my head, I’m thinking of how I could be more like Hildee and more like Dan.
For that list, I solicit your help.
What could I do that would validate your hard work, the work I don’t even know you do? What pulls you out of an “is this even worth it?” funk?

Grateful, and eager to see your ideas,  W!