Unfortunately, saying thank you seems to be an after thought more and more. So at least once a month, I will take a few minutes to publicly appreciate someone that has had an impact on me.
This round: Dave Hussman
I met Dave back around 2007-08. And there are so many things over the years to thank him for but I’m going to focus on a recent moment. Last month, we were both invited speakers to an out-of-state conference. Unlike so many conferences, where we get a big hug in and chat for a few minutes before one of us is getting pulled into another direction…we had time to just sit down and talk.
In this particular conversation, he shared with me that he had recently been asking himself…what was one thing to stop doing? Turns out he was asking me that same question without any intention. So over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been considering this question.
I think it’s always been easier for me to think of what I could do in addition. I think it’s always been easier for me to think of what I would change to what I’m doing. But I don’t often think about what I would stop doing. I’m sure part of that is because I believe, if I once decided it was important than it’s still important. However, we know that’s not always true. For example, the reason I started speaking and why I still choose to speak today are for different reasons. Both valuable but different. So I started considering what I do today that may not have as much or any value remaining. I was pretty happy that this wasn’t an easy answer. Even much to my surprise, I determined blogging should remain.
In the end, my answer was to stop not taking advantage of these deeper conversations with people that make me think. My colleague, Henry once highlighted that we treat “Hi, How are you?” as a rhetorical pleasantry. I need to stop that because Dave has been influential numerous times in my life and taking that time to sit down and catch up…I experienced another moment. I’m not sure that this had the same impact he was going for (removing something from your plate) but powerful open questions are magical like that.
So thank you for reminding me to stop and just take the moments in. I’m so very lucky to call you not just “The Dude” but my friend.
Picture from LinkedIn
