People Don’t Want to Hear from You

They Want to be Heard by You

I had just finished presenting another 90-minute workshop at a leadership event. It was my third or fourth in a couple of days. To say I was emotionally spent is an understatement because I always tryto give my audience 100%.

As usual, people stayed afterward to ask questions. I’m no saint, so I’m wondering how long this will take. Not because I don’t care. Because I have needs. My body was tired. My belly was growling. My bladder was full.

Any of those issues could be a legitimate excuse to make an exit. But I promised people at the beginning of my presentation that I’d be the last one in the room. I’ve always made that my practice unless I had another session.

I don’t remember what my workshop was about on that day. Nor do I remember the conversation I had with the last person in line. But honestly, neither does she. That’s what she conveyed to me in a private.

“I’m in the middle of a massive reorganization of my studio and came across your business card — one I thought was worth keeping after all these years. I’m sure you don’t remember me, as it’s been over 10 years since we met briefly at a conference. I can’t even remember anymore what the session was about and what question I waited for everybody to leave in order to ask you…