The program had barely begun (just past introductions) when one of the participants interrupted the facilitator. Not with a question, exactly. More of a challenge.
“What could you possibly bring to this room, never having been a C-level executive yourself? Why are you worthy of my time?”
The room went quiet.
The facilitator took a moment. Then she said:
Off the bat, I can tell you two things I bring to this room.
First, I am a professional who deals with other professionals with respect. You can expect that from me at all times. And what that means, among other things, is that I will never interrupt others.
Second, before this program is over, you will have insights into what it is about yourself that led you to ask this question, at this moment, in this manner, and what impact that might have on your management practice.
Then the program continued.
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photo by Tim Mossholder