“People are funny”
I find I quote this phrase regularly during conversation, even to myself although most often when I’m indulging with friends over a ‘sticky bun’ and a decent coffee.
I find engagement with like-minded souls is always good for the morale and if we’re lucky we receive more than just a boost for the psyche. An introduction perhaps, even a smile!
After all, people are just like me, they’re much like you – hey, we’re all alike and although we surely have our very different views on life, it’s one of the essential ingredients when reflecting with a smile … how people have that great ability to lift you up when you are down or level the ‘playing field’ when you fly too high.
I recently had an acquaintance get in touch, calling early one evening whilst I was demolishing a fine … home baked rice pudding …
Anyway by the sound of his voice, Shah was having troubles. His wife was leaving him, his children, now post teen, had moved out and with the home-front in disarray, the business was suffering.
Shah initially called to ask me for money. He thought this may be the cure.
Rarely have I set aside the rice pudding once I’d started. I was not about to ignore it at this point either, so I suggested we meet up.
The opportunity came at the local hostelry – always a good idea (and no, it’s not somewhere I often frequent, much!) I insisted on ale, Shah and I had a chat.
It was all too apparent Shah needed to talk. He was very good at talking and with limited family engagement and no-one listening to his recent domestic plight he turned to someone (me) who might just listen. I like to listen. It soon became apparent that Shah had historic family problems that required his attention and his business needed an interim manager to enable him to manage the home front. He was uncertain how to go forward, he continued to talk and I simply listened over my ale.
Shah is part of my own network of friends/colleagues. Until recently I was frequently meeting with him and a number of other independent businesses for referral engagement. The reasons for his regular absences were unclear – until just now.
After a most enjoyable soirée at the aforementioned hostelry it was agreed that we meet with some key people within the business forum – after all, what is an affinity group all about if not to offer support and guidance to a colleague?
The meeting of minds took place the following week, we found the right connection who knew the right kind of people for business support, Shah took time off to be with his family – and pretty soon we saw him smiling again.
“People are funny” is something I often repeat (yes, to myself if there is no-one else around) and Shah is indeed funny.
Shah had built a trusted network of contacts over the years and here he was – blinded by his plight where he simply couldn’t see a way forward until … he asked for help through the aid of conversation, engagement and …it cost him nothing but the odd ale …
Shah now sees the value of his network. People can help you engage, develop and grow, so build the relationships and ask in confidence. He
CharlieKenny.me 