� UGH!

So there I was giving the kick-off keynote address to about 500 volunteer leaders.

• It was a few minutes into the program.
• I was already in the groove.
• Lift-off was smooth!

Until, that is, the association staff person at table in front of me held up a sign saying “Zipper!”

• I blinked hard hoping I was seeing things.
• Then I wondered what color underwear I had on.
• AARGH!!!!

I gracefully turned around, pulled up the zipper - and kept talking.

• The people in front laughed - they knew what I did.
• The people in the back laughed - they thought I was doing a weird dance to make a point.
• (I’m glad it worked for them.)

I shook my internal head and didn’t miss a beat of my speech.

• A few years ago, I would have beat myself up and stumbled in my thoughts.
• Today I had no reaction - neither good or bad.
• My zipper fiasco just was.

Boy have I grown a lot!

Makes me think of chapter leaders… how have you grown as a leader over the past few years?

Originally posted @ Cynthia D'Amour on Leadership and Life