From Managers To Leaders

I’ve been signed up for many different types of seminars. Some were company imposed, most have been self-imposed. The offer was put out for an event about multi-generations in the work place. Since I know it’s a topic that I have run up against in the past, I expressed an interest in going. I also offered to drive feeling that the experience would be good for me. I rarely drive to work events and usually go with someone else. The event was about an hour and a half drive away. Between having room in my SUV and a navigation system I had the tools to feel confident about making this trip (deep down I was still very nervous).

The drive down was thankfully uneventful. But it was also enough of a challenge that my confidence about doing this type of thing increased greatly. The event itself I must say was disappointing. There are many reasons why I would say this.

• The hotel service was bad (for a 5 star hotel that is saying something)
• The people in the room did not seem interested in networking outside of the groups they were in. I watched several people try, and then get tossed aside. Still I was fortunate at my table to have a few opportunities that I took advantage of.
• The speakers did not seem solid on the material and kept reminding everyone it was part of a larger presentation they would be doing at a conference (which was a pricier event).
• The time of the event did not seem to match what everyone thought. They kept looking at their watches saying they had to move on. This gave the entire event a “rushed” feel. This also prevented learning.
• My attempt to make contact with someone who expressed to be an expert in something I was interested in did not pan out at all. I felt more like they were trying to push me away then actually help (they had put out the offer to be contacted during the event).

So why do I bring this situation up? Because this will happen to all of us. In one way or another we will pay good money for something work related / leadership related and feel let down. However, I am here to tell you that you that there are positives to these situations. For myself in regards to this specific event –

1. I found the courage and the strength to travel out of state and drive others with me. This was a leap out of my comfort zone that I am glad I took.
2. I now know that this company’s events are not for me and will no longer waste time in searching them or considering them.
3. I enabled myself to reach out to those around me. I still keep contact with one person on a semi-regular basis.
4. I took the information in stride and realized enough that what they were trying to do was valid, I just do not agree with how they did it. Playing into the stereotype to figure out what it is, not for me. I would rather go the whole person paradigm approach hands down.
5. I feel better about myself for being open to this type of thing. In the past, it’s not something I would have done.

While the training I went for did not pan out, I still learned lots of things for my time. These are lessons that have given me confidence in other areas of my life. To me – that still equals time well spent.

What would a leader do?
~ Be open to training opportunities even if they are out of your comfort zone!
~ Look for all the benefits offered, not just the ones on the brochure.
~ Research the event well before signing up. This helps to eliminate training funds not well spent.