{Hitting the Road} Leadership and Credibility Presentation

I have the honor, or is it street cred, to say that I've been working for a living longer than I've not been working.

When I consider the many jobs I've had, my favorite, by far, was my time as an ROTC instructor. Sure, we had the have-to-teach classes like military history, tactics and marksmanship but we also had the fun classes.

The best part of my week was when was able to mold and shape young minds and teach Leadership.

The thing about leadership is it extends beyond the walls of a classroom. When you are a leader, you wake up and step into a living, breathing leadership learning lab. In this lab, you learn from experiences. You often learn more from the bad experiences than from the good.

Last week, I had the opportunity to share my experiences and talk about leadership and credibility with the professionals of ALAMN

I tripped over my carefully constructed outline, botched a few lines and forgot to advance a slide or two but I resisted my natural urge to bolt, stayed within my time and noone got hurt.

It. Was. Awesome.

So awesome it may be time to take this conversation on the road.

Note: click on the "empty" slides for cool fly-in text.

Before I pack my bags, I'd like to publicly thank Cheryl Nelson, ALAMN Business Partner and Conference Committee, for finding me, the professionals of ALAMN for their generosity and Sean Schuette, CMP, Director of Meetings and Events at IntrinXec Management Inc., for the smooth running of the behind-the-scenes show.

Pre-Vacation Psycho: A Day in the Life Sunday

I am wrapped tight the week before a vacation. Psycho. Plain and simple.

One moment I am doing exactly what I spoke to a group of professionals this week about not doing - reacting in the heat of the moment. The next, I am typing with one finger reacting to emails I normally would simply delete. My days blur into each other as I head in to work at the crack of dawn and head out after others have left to get "one more thing done" before I head out.

I am moving through actions, making decisions, and providing direction.

How much "stuff" can I get through my office and out to others so actions can proceed in my absence? What issues do I anticipate coming up <enter the crystal ball> so I can prepare others for them?

It's crazy I tell you.

This old soul needs to retreat, recharge, refocus and regroup. And it starts today. First stop, the St. Paul Hotel for the chocolate lovers tea with the girls - vintage hats and all.

Monday, we're heading south.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Atlantis and then snorkeling in the Bahamas may be just what the doctor ordered.

Disney cruise creatures all bouncey, smiley, giddy and in my space? Maybe not so much right now but give me a few days to unwind then I'll be up for reconnecting with creatures and folk alike. Maybe even SpongeBob. Wait, not SpongeBob - ever. Thank god he is not Disney.

See you in a week. It is a small world after all.

Photo credit iStockphoto