Neatly stacked piles of paper with research from Harvard,
Wharton, and Stanford sat on the table as we began our discussion
about the event we were planning.
"What's that?" I asked my soul sister and colleague, Mali
Phonpadith, excited to talk about how we can pull our resources
together and co-produce a retreat for executives seeking
breakthroughs in leadership.
With an excited look on her face, she grabbed the first stack
and said, "I went through all the top business schools and
leadership training programs I could find. I pulled together the
best language from each website and printed it to help us with
messaging."
My stomach cringed at the thought of regurgitating the same old
language everyone else was using. I wanted to think about what we
have to offer as unique and create our own language based on
that.
Considering Mali's level of excitement, I couldn't just say,
"Scrap that. Let's create our own," so instead I asked more
questions and listened. Her thought process made perfect
sense… from the perspective I held a couple of years back when she
was helping me with messaging for my website.
"Mali, I appreciate you for doing all this research," I said,
"and I think we need to put it to the side for now."
Seeing the look of confusion on her face, I paused and suggested
that we come back to what everyone else was saying to lure
executives after we've uncovered the language that was
most fitting for our unique value proposition.
Almost as soon as she sat back, I knew the scene she was about
to recall.
"Misti," she said, "do you remember that day I came to your
office and we spent hours going over your messaging?"
Of course I did. It was an agonizing three hours that resulted
in a bunch of words that made no sense to me. I was frustrated and
irritated that Mali—the messaging genius—didn't hand me
the perfect words to create a sudden influx of the perfect
clients.
"You demanded…," she started, before I cut her off with, "I
know, I know."
Finishing her thought…"Every time I would ask questions related
to the work you do, you'd cut me off—'no, Mali, I can't
use that language. I have to find the words people are looking
for'—you insisted."
Exhaling, as I sat back in my chair, and all I could muster was,
"I know. You're right. I know."
With that, she stood up, paced for a few brief moments before
saying, "You graduated, and I need to acknowledge that."
While her language didn't resonate with me, her intention
inspired me to do the same for every person in my life—let them
show up new.
It's easy to think you know someone, but pigeonholing others
doesn't give them a chance to continue their own evolution/growth.
And, if the only thing that stays the same is change, we'd do well
to support and encourage positive change.
Here's to Your Greatness,
Misti Burmeister
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