June 21, 2010
I had the great honor to
speak to the annual meeting of Leadership Florida last week. I understand about 30 states have similar organizations.
I have encountered a few in the past, but none like this. The weekend included entertainment at every
turn – good entertainment I should add. But none of it was needed.
The very first evening there
was a reception with a “Fantasy
Island” theme complete
with a female Tattoo character. The lines were funny… I am sure they were… I
just couldn’t hear them. The more time
passed, the more people filled the room and the louder the din of people
talking. My first thought was to blame the acoustics. They weren’t yelling.
Then I wondered if this wasn’t really rude. I mean, people clearly took time to
write and prepare this show complete with funny pictures. But immediately I
knew it wasn’t rude. It was something else.
I focused on the people who
were talking. They were really
talking. They really knew each other. They were bonded. EVERY interaction was
between people who were bonded. At that time, I did not understand why that was
so. The next day the nature of Leadership Florida membership was explained to
me.
Leadership Florida really wants it to be leaders
and leadership. For that reason, the only way you can get in is to be nominated
because of your demonstrated leadership behavior that has benefited Florida. But that
doesn’t explain the bond.
If you are fortunate enough
to be nominated, you then have the honor of investing thousands of dollars of
your own money and weeks of your time to learn about Florida with 54 other people. They take 55 a year. Why? Because that is the most they can fit on
the bus. And they want this to be a full, invested, bonding experience of
leaders who really want to do more to make Florida a wonderful place.
I get to speak to a lot of
groups in a year and see a lot of group dynamics. I have not seen the likes of
Leadership Florida. What I saw was no polite small talk. These were people who
really care about each other and their mission and have proven it with their
time and money.
I often say stories are the
proof that community has taken place. I think I found a new point of proof.
When you go to a meeting and every single person is engaged – not just talking,
engaged – with others in the room and it is so loud you can’t hear yourself
think… you might be in the middle of pretty substantial community.
After thought: You know how
in bars and restaurants in the evening as time passes they keep turning up the
volume of the music? Is it possible they are trying to fake what occurs naturally
in the beehive of true community when bonded people gather?