Over the past decade, a lot of us became focused on the number of Facebook friends and Twitter followers we could amass. Early in the Social Media movement, I remember one of my daughters chiding me for only having a couple hundred MySpace friends when she had over 800. She was so embarrassed for me.
But, Social Media “friends” are fleeting; real life is about who you really know. And, clearly, how you make them feel. You can be known by all the “important” people you want...but, if they ultimately discern you to be shallow, self-absorbed or a jerk, it means precious little.
The relationships I have cultivated over my sensationally blessed life continue to amaze me with the power of often "3-degree of separation" connections. Friends in my industry continue to hire us. Those true friends from outside my industry continue to greet me warmly when we connect in clubs, at events or around town.
Our local business magazine recently (and kindly) featured me...and my answer to the question, “What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out in the business world?” And, in true “The Graduate” style, I responded with one word: “Relationships.”
A prime example of my mantra came to play once again Monday afternoon in front of over 1,000 of my friends and industry peers in a Las Vegas meeting hall during the opening keynote of the 100th Annual Convention of Destination Marketing Association International.
During one of the best opening keynotes I’ve ever witnessed (and I often skip them because so many are so lame), famed graffiti artist and author Erik Wahl tossed a ball from the stage into the hands of audience member Julie Jensen, the freshly minted CEO of the Rapid City CVB. In return for catching the ball, he informed her that she was to be his “volunteer” for a “Fear Factor-esque” example...on stage.
Julie demurred. She was both new to this huge group of peers and not a big fan of being the focus of a “Fear Factor” challenge. Hey, wouldn't you?
Erik accepted that reticence gracefully and informed Julie that she could pick anyone else in the room to replace her on stage.
She said, somewhat unsure of herself, “Bill...ummm, from Madison?”
My friends sitting around me whooped, pointed and laughed. There was no getting out of this. No opportunity to look around with a feigned “who’s that?” look.
I stood...my mind racing...and began making my way toward Erik from the cheap seats waaaay in the back of the hall. Which, of course, gave my mind more than ample time to imagine what horror awaited me upon that stage.
Erik greeted me warmly, quickly suggesting that “Interpretive Dance” would be my challenge. In front of 1,000 friends and peers. Wonderful.
After a suitable build up (click image to enlarge), which incrementally increased my fear, he instructed me to open the envelope for the revelation of just what kind of dance I would be performing.
“Read it!” he said, with a smile that was beyond mischievous.
“The painting of Bono (which he had magically and magestically painted in all of 4 minutes and 10 seconds just moments before) is yours to keep! Congratulations.” I grabbed and shook his hand, in equal parts of gratitude and relief. By standing up and willing myself to take a chance to do something out of my comfort zone, I was rewarded with an amazing piece of art that will enjoy a central position in our office for as long as I take breath.
And, I was also rewarded with hundreds of handshakes, thumbs up, pats on the back and nods from my friends and associates for the next three days of the conference.
But...here’s the thing. Julie Jensen didn’t know me from Adam.
She had been “on the job” as the CEO of Rapid Cities for three days. She didn’t know a soul in the room. So, when tasked with coming up with a name in order to avoid the Fear Factor challenge, the only name that emerged in her mind was mine.
All because, earlier that morning, her predecessor (and dear friend and now former Rapid Cities CEO) Michelle Lintz had e-mailed me to be on the lookout for her successor. While Michelle hasn’t been a client since 2006, we’ve been friends for much longer.
I responded to Michelle’s e by encouraging her to tell Julie to swing by the pool cabana Terri and I were hosting that afternoon or the reception that we were attending the next evening with our friends Dave Serino, Tom Martin and Dave Bratton & Erin Francis.
In a sea of, at present unknown but, surely future friends, the only name Julie knew was mine.
All because of a single relationship. They are truly everything in life.
Thanks, Michelle. Thanks, Julie.
And, thank you Erik. You rock!
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