M&M is driving to pick up his son today. He just called and we caught up. We’ve both been running hard, him especially. I just flew back from Kansas late last night and I’m tired. It’s a good tired…
Wednesday I had a number of meetings in CBUS. It started with a clear, concise, and direct meeting with one of my partners. It didn’t feel very good, but it was righteous. Later that day I had another meeting with a client that doesn’t yet believe in this work. Someday, he may. We were clear, concise, and direct together. It didn’t feel good at all. In fact, it felt like someone told me that this work wasn’t worth a shit. It felt personal. Moving on…
My next meeting was pure magic. It was short. We were clear, concise, and direct together. Funny isn’t it, when you find your voice, you simply play with it. Moving on.
I mostly listened and then gave my client two very specific productive actions. I tried to be c, c, and d. He thought about them and asked a couple clarifying questions. He processed and then he responded…
Brilliant, he said.
We departed knowing that we’re making progress. He and I are coming together like any great partnership. We share belief in this work, belief in each other, and belief that together we are improving. The feelings overwhelmed me for a moment, a smile creased my face, and then back at it.
From the time the jet touched down in KC to the time it took to drive to Lawrence, my spirit was still in the sky. I didn’t just smile, I was high. Naturally…
Krit and Clint entered the restaurant at a little past six and, for the next couple of hours, it felt as if time stopped. Of course she looked beautiful. Her spirit lifted mine even higher. She is one of those special people that is a master emotional regulator. She can lift the most tired of traveler and, somehow, suspend another’s fatigue. She can help you see the positive. She changes those that allow her in. I know, I’m proof.
As Krit and Clint departed, I turned around and watched them disappear into the night. They were, it appeared, almost supporting one another as they moved. They were together, shoulder to shoulder. They were in sync…
Thursday started with a clear, concise, and direct phone conversation back here. I was on the phone with Taylor’s basketball coach. I hadn’t made a call like this in 15 years. Fifteen years and with the coach of another son. The feelings returned. I thought about Jordan and the great memories of watching him play. I thought about his coaches. I thought too, of mine. So few worth remembering. So few that gave me belief, so few that saw me as a project worth their best work. I thought about my work and the feelings of those that I teach. And, I thought about how so few coaches have any idea of their impact. Back to the call.
This call wasn’t fun but it was honest and positive. Time will tell…
I had barely hung up the phone when it rang again. This time it was a bird of another feather. James (birdman) Lambert was on the line. Birdman and I go way back. We first met in 5th grade. He teased me about my Connie shoebox and I teased him that he looked like Big Bird. We would become instant friends…
Birdman didn’t sound good. Quickly he was out with it. His bride had just been rushed to the Hospital and her prognosis wasn’t good. She had a one inch tumor in her brain and they would have to operate as soon as possible. My heart sunk as I shared my Birdman’s pain. My heart just hurt.
As I hung up the phone and called my bride, I began to pray for my friend and for his bride. Miss told me she would pray too. I felt instantly tired and somehow comforted from the sound of my bride and the Hope we share…
When I walked into my clients office he, his assistant, and another associate were huddled over his iphone trying to get him up and running. Instantly I was reminded of the old days at CNS and how Sandi and the team often did the same for me. I smiled inside, but just for a moment. I narrowed my focus and got ready to go to work…
The next 7 hours were a blur. We’ve been working together for 7 years and we had a job to do. This client is kicking butt and growing and growing and growing. Yesterday we were writing his thoughts for his 5 year strategic plan. I opened my Apple and started tickling the invories. He would talk as the thoughts came. I would type like a banchee and try my best to keep up. I would insert a word here and there. I would mostly try to keep him in flow. I would watch his face and mostly listen and shut my mouth. We are always productive together and today was no exception. He trusts me. He believes in BUILT TO LEAD and has seen evidence in his work and life. We flew together. Every so often we would stop, print our sheets and edit away. Then back at it. By the time that we were staring at 4pm, the laptop was away.
I stood. We both smiled. He shook my hand with a big grin and thanked me for this work. I smiled and felt deeply satisfied. I felt grateful. I felt accomplished. I felt a part of his team. I felt ready to go home…
I smiled all the way to the door and even when I got to the rental car. For one of the few trips to KC, there was no parking ticket awaiting my return. In the car I called the Birdman and got voicemail. I called my good buddy Bryan and got the update from him. He had been with Birdman and the prognosis still wasn’t good but there was HOPE. The doctors were going to operate and they felt there was a good chance for recovery. I felt a bit of relief but a tinge of doubt. I’ve lost too many friends to feel anything else…
The day ended with a miserable trip home. Delays ruled the night along with crowds and crowds of people. I arrived home late. When I turned down Pennington though I felt something I feel with great frequency. I was overwhelmed again. I made the right hander and looked for the familiar lights. As I drove up the drive and looked at this collection of brick, stone, and wood, my face broke into a smile. The past hours were past. The future meant nothing. In the moment, all was good.
I was home.
I was home, AND it felt amazing…
BUILT TO LEAD 
The site was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and afflatus, both of which we all need!
beautifully written. honest. inspiring.