AaronMarcelli.org

Posted By Aaron Marcelli on November 13, 2009

I went to a business conference in Atlanta on Wednesday.  Entering the room I grabbed a pastry, scanned the ball room and settled in at a table on the right midway back.  Not long after, a group of women came and sat in my general vicinity.

The training was good and presented in an interactive, conversational manor which I believe is a superior teaching style but sometimes in a room of “professionals” can become a competition of who knows the most.  And the game was on!  I’m pretty sure it was visibly obvious that I had become frustrated with the ladies around me as several of them interrupted and dominated the conversation offering a story, principle or some advice to every person on each topic.  One of the ladies was retired and now worked as a consultant and was a “know it all” except that she honestly seemed to know it all.  Had I not have been so put off by her social rudeness, I may have actually learned from her.

It hit me though when during a break I had trouble escaping the room because many folks were flooding my area in order to speak to the rambling consultant.  I heard many ask her advice and almost everyone who walked by ask for her card or permission to call her.  As I hurriedly made my way from what to me had become a stressful atmosphere, I realized what was happening.  Because the lady was willing (and perhaps over anxious) to share from her wisdom and experience, others wanted to hear more from her.  Here it was those I had found annoying that were being approached for contacts and business cards.  Though I was there to learn and could have added to the conversation, I chose not to and no one was in a hurry to get my card or seek my opinion on things.

I heard it said once that a wise man speaks because he has something to say and a fool speaks because he has to say something.  Though I don’t believe great leaders and teachers dominate discussion, when we have knowledge or truth, we should consider it our obligation to share and network that information for the better of others.  I think we all desire to be sought after for what we are good at or to be considered a source in a certain area.  I learned though that for me, such will never happen as long as I am holding what I know and how I think in.  People are not smart enough to read my mind and realize I have something to offer.  And if I really do have valuable information to give, it is not arrogant for me to speak up.  After all, my goal is to make people better and see life change, something that will not happen if I continue to just sit and take notes.

Category: Leadership, My Life / Personal
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