{I Blew It} Leadership Presentation Proposal

Leaders are made, not born and I believe we are all destined to lead someone, something, somewhere and it's when things get in the way (fear, lack of confidence, voice of a judgemental teacher) that our leadership is blocked. See how bringing the best of who you to any situation can make all the difference in the world. Bring out the leader in you.

And with words like that, I submitted a proposal to present a 1.5 - 2 hour session at a leadership conference. Thirty-five women stepping into volunteer leadership roles looking for tools, tips and inspiration.

This one had my name on it. Until I blew it.

I talked with the organization's VP on Friday, committed to have a proposal to her on Monday, and sent it off Sunday afternoon. When I had not heard anything after a few days, I followed up and was told that my proposal did not meet the needs of the organization. Knowing I could meet their needs, I  asked for the opportunity to speak with her and submit a revised proposal.

What was off in the proposal is not what's important but what sticks with me is.

What sticks with me is that I missed something. I missed something I should not have missed. Was it implied and I did not hear it? Did I make an assumption I should not have made? Was I thinking more about what this presentation would mean to me vs. what it would mean to the VP and her leaders?

What sticks with me is relationship. She heard something about me, saw something in my profile, whatever . . .  and decided I was someone who could help her develop her leaders. We spoke. There was relationship. The absence of feedback on my proposal, the short response back and not responding to my request for a follow-up call - does this mean I broke the relationship? Is it not there anymore? Or did it exist only in my mind?

Women, leadership, bringing out potential in others - if there ever was a session with my name on it, this was it. Heck, I even ditched my ultrasecure safety net of an carefully crafted outline and mind-mapped the whole session with creative, colorful Sharpie pens.

Add in the Pottery Barn Teen bean bag chair I sat in doing so and, well, I was having fun!

I could go round and round on this for days but I won't do that.

Here's what I am going to do. I am going to hit "schedule" on this post, chalk this up to what will be, will be and take the lessons learned into my next interaction.

I am still a little bit bummed though.

The Kid Swims: A Day in the Life Sunday

Writing is getting to be a family affair and I am ok with that . . . as long as the kid doesn't write better than I do.

She is creating an autobiography as part of a school project, highlighting some events and thoughts about growing up. I recently shared my new found identity as a swim mom and when I saw what she wrote about swimming, I just had to share it with you.

 

Beep! You hear the long whistle signaling you to step up on the starting block. You can feel the hum of preface jitters flowing through your body like a wildfire. Minutes ago you were pacing the length of the pool promising yourself no matter what happens you'll be okay. You temporarily calmed yourself down. But now on the block, it all comes back. "What if I sink?" "What if I come in last?" All these thoughts are racing through my head, and more.  Then you hear the distant, "up" as your head plunges into the water.

And that's when the joy of flying begins.

I like to refer to swimming as flying since it has that amazing feeling of floating.  I've loved that sensation since I was a little girl. I have loved on the Mississippi river my entire life so I am used to swimming almost every day. Apparently swimming against the river current worked up some muscles with long names that I can't spell. I knew I wanted to be a swimmer the minute I stepped foot in the water. But I knew I wanted to be a competitive swimmer when my friend started.

I've only been to 2  swim meets since I've only begun swimming recently. I've won 2 heats and came 2nd in my heat in 2 races of 5. The swim meets take place in many different places in Minnesota. Approximately 100 people swim for my swim club ranging in ages from 4 to 34 years old.

One moment stuck in my mind is when I did my first swim meet. I was nervous yet confident for my 50 yard freestyle because I had just come in 3rd in my heat for backstroke. I jumped in the water and swam like my life depended on it, which my ego sorta did. All my work paid off and I was rewarded with my first big win.

I am not sure where I want swimming to be in my future but I know I want to continue with swimming.  I am not sure about it being a full-time job. I just don't want my life dreams to be shattered by losing one race.  I'll be sure to get back to you as soon as I find out.

You splash to the wall and turn. Then you make your way through the water desperately trying to finish first. Soon you glide smoothly under water to the finish pad. Even with all the nerves, I know I want to fly forever. 

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What do you think? Is she giving me a run for my writing money? In the pool, I don't have a stinkin' chance.

Photo credit iStockPhoto