Friday, May 26, 2017

Meetings - YUCH!

I swear!  Some folks just like holding meetings to hear themselves talk.

I'm working on a project where the leaders are constantly convening meetings.  During a two-hour meeting yesterday, I realized that the part concerning my role took all of five minutes of time during the meeting.

As soon as it was over, I called the client and said:  Just have them tell me the relevant part that concerns me.  In other words, let me skip the meeting and tell me what to do.

I'll do it.

But. No. Meetings!

Monday, May 8, 2017

Reaching out to Legislators

My friend Lamont Brown is one of many African American males who committed crimes as youth but are haunted by them today.

He is in his mid 40s but committed a drug offense when he was 19.

Since then, he's become a prominent businessman, compelling speaker and role model.

He won office as Alderman of a city that badly needs his type of inspiration.

But, the residents are fighting him because of his youthful indiscretion.

Well, he is a friend and I'm off to Springfield on tomorrow to talk to lawmakers about changing the law so that someone like Lamont can have his record expunged after ten years of good citizenry.

I'm determined to get this law reversed as part of the bigger good.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Regrets? Yes. I have them.

Recently a woman I kinda worked with passed.

We shared a client but provided different services.  Any time we collaborated, we clashed.

At the root of it was my jealousy that my client was so impressed with her and RAVED about her.  Well, he also raved about me but my insecurities came shining through whenever I saw her.  She ignored my petulance...to her credit.  Her role eventually ended and I had the client "all to myself again."

I was happy....or was I?

About five years ago, she came to my home for an event and, instead of getting huffy, I welcomed her.  I am glad I did.

But I never saw her again.

Then, when I heard she'd passed, I felt and feel terrible.

I have to do better.  I have to put my insecurities aside for my greater good.  And, I'm glad I have learned and matured.

She was good at what she did. I am good at what I do.  Why I couldn't realize that at the time.  Even though the project was completed, it could have gone smoother but for me.

Dear Friend,

Thanks for being better and bigger than me.  I will let your graciousness be my guidepost going forward.

And, I'm sorry.