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INSPIRING STORIES

"Heroes are people who triumph over disaster."

In this section, consultants and leaders share their real life stories of overcoming adversity, and what they've learned as a result. Read their stories to inspire you, and share your own.

Andrew is an inspirational career consultant. He offers Consulting, Presentations and Workshops to Organisations and Individuals)
His motto is "do what you love and love what you do."

This is long overdue feedback on the 'balloon workshop' which was as good as a case study on a logistical disaster. EVERYTHING we spoke about, and worked on, and said could happen, DID. If I hadn't been on the workshop, I may have been a bit concerned - instead it was great learning, and quite (came and went) fun!

Got home (after leaving you all) to an email to say that the invitation they sent out (by email) got little response, and we may only have 'a few' people, vs. 65 invited. The email I frantically set out after the first day of our workshop, didn't get opened (they were too busy), so no introduction, (did it myself) no lunch, tea, biscuits, pencils or even smarties. Lucky I had major stocks of sunrise toffees bought on the way home from our meeting. Room small, no air till tea time, then freezing, no flipchart paper, wrote on white board with wrong pen by mistake until paper arrived, and only 4 delegates arrived wanting an 'in-depth' afternoon.

I had a 'plan B design' in my bag (based on email the night before), so hit the photocopier 20 minutes before the start, asked someone to help who stapled it all wrong and which I had to fix, handouts I had e-mailed for printing (based on 65 people) were sent to delegates to print themselves (only 2 had them), and printer I tried to use to make more, streaked. Found another printer - very slow, but worked.

I then ran a personal career growth afternoon, with insight exercises, lots of humour, and some real practical learning. Balloons seemed inappropriate, but used cards, exercises, card writing, and some useful discussions. Used the magic cards at the end which made for a most wonderful finish to the day. Based on the afternoon, I now have 2 'same again' afternoons with the same client next week. They WILL go better logistically.

Spent tea time with the national manager who agreed to a 'more strategic intervention' which includes a theme, balloons - tee en koek - the whole deal! So, did my stuff, and the proposal is in - they have provisionally booked me for more. Are my balloons ready?? Absolutely!!!

Despite the logistical disaster, the feedback from the afternoon was really good, and the one lady who seemed a lamb and completely engrossed is apparently one of the most difficult in the division, and has told them this stuff is fantastic, and just what they need. The comments I have now got is that if you bought her, you've got the rest. We'll see!! Some of the feedback (there was no negative feedback) confirmed for me that

“even when everything goes wrong, if you still do your best
and work with what you have, you can still do good stuff. “

Comments included (shortened by me)

Life is what you make of it, and the course teaches you to make the best of it

Truly excellent. I learnt a great deal today, also where responsible employers could intervene and provide support.

Everything revolves around personal relationships, and that positive proactive people with passion get somewhere.