...I took a different look at the next group of people who had chosen to come and spend the day with me whilst I imparted my wisdom and learnt a great deal from them during the hours of our course together.
I have always tried, but not always succeeded, in reigning in my judgments because in my profession you can find your thoughts turn on the head of a pin with just one remark from a delegate.
Anyway, I think I was actually more receptive to the nine delegates I was scheduled to train the day after my ‘epiphany', and as a result, I met nine really diverse, strong, very capable and thoroughly likable personalities from the top of the organisation down to their most important tea lady.
This doesn't always happen on a course because the more shy delegates take a little longer to open up and share the areas of themselves about which they feel safe; I am fascinated that these delegates are usually the ones we learn the most from in the end.
On the days when a group of delegates has entered the training room with enthusiasm and an intention to enjoy and learn something, well those are the days my fellow trainers and I get to walk home on air!
At this juncture I must emphasise that most times we are lucky enough to encounter the aforementioned kind of delegates. Our feeling of the organisation is that there is almost an intangible energy which weaves its way up through each person in the company, usually connecting with someone at a senior level who is usually a highly competent but fair manager, with a certain kind of humility which renders he/she just as eager to take on board new ideas as are their staff. So nothing we do is in isolation, ever …….