Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

Who knew?

I spent an extra night in Westchester, NY thanks to the blizzard.

• In a nice area.
• Next to big shopping.
• An okay place to be stuck.

Surrounded by chain restaurants.

• Morton’s
• Outback
• Cheesecake Factory and more!

I could have been in any major city.

• Fine.
• But not as fun.
• As finding the local flavor.

I asked the bellhop for help.

• At first he tried to send me to the nice chains.
• I held strong.
• He shared a secret.

Two blocks away was a local Italian restaurant.

• When I walked in, I breathed garlic.
• A little Italian princess was wrapping up her birthday party.
• They were dressed to the nines - and adorable.

I relaxed at a table in the bar area.

• White cloth and fresh bread.
• The owner getting his pools ready for the Super Bowl.
• The regulars trickling in.

My meal… ahhhh how to describe it.

• Mama made it it from scratch.
• Rolled chicken, prosciutto, amazing sauce and tasty greens.
• I wanted it to never end!

I walked back to my hotel smiling.

• Tummy full.
• Feeling content.
• Happy to be in Westchester.

A little research and extra effort gave me a meal to remember.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…are you willing to go beyond the normal to explore new flavors for your chapter?

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   Mine!

I’m a little bit of an over-achiever.

• (Anyone surprised?)
• I like to do things well.
• And manage my variables.

Today I have to fly to White Plains, NY.

• In a prop plane.
• With a layover in Philadelphia.
• Arriving in NY around 2:30 PM.

Yesterday the impending East coast blizzard started stressing me out.

• Would I beat it to Philly?
• What if I can’t get out?
• Should I take a different flight?

Adding to my stress - I’m not flying Delta.

• I’m an elite flyer with them.
• They make sure I get places.
• To save my client money, I’m flying as a nobody today.

Last night I worked on Plan B.

• Facebook friends gave suggestions.
• Sarah helped me find options.
• And then I gave up - and went to bed.

This morning my stomach was spinning with nerves.

• I turned the computer on with a sense of dread.
• The weather site predicts only a 10% chance of snow in Philly during my expected layover!
• Storm to arrive a few hours later.

We all know how accurate weathermen are - however I’m walking with some hope in my shoes this morning.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you avoid stressing out when you can’t control what’s going on?

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   To the game.

This weekend James and I attended the Michigan Women’s Basketball game.

• We catch the games when we can.
• To support women’s sports.
• And take in the experience - and what an experience it was!

I’m not sure which I enjoyed more…

• The game.
• (Won with less than a minute to go!)
• Or the other stuff in between.

Michigan was very creative in giving people a reason to attend the game.

• Catered birthday parties with special basketball cupcakes.
• Elementary kids sang the national anthem.
• American Heart passed out cookbooks and Go Red Pins.
• Biggest Loser contestants signed autographs.
• Free basketball games to first 1,000 attendees.
• Special deal for high school teams.
• Opportunities to participate in wacky contests during timeouts.
• Chance to see the Michigan cheerleaders and dance team.
• Music by the Michigan pep band.
• Fill the Stadium contest.

There were different reasons for different people to attend.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how many reasons do you give your members to attend your events?

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   We need to know - NOW.

I got a lovely Monday morning email…

• Can I help the chapter event or not?
• It’s critical they know now.
• They sent an e-mail request Friday afternoon…

Huh? I’m not sure why she wrote me.

• I know she’s a member.
• No idea how she’s connected to the event.
• She doesn’t explain - or assumes I know.

Plus she didn’t give me the details needed to take action.

• She shared when the first email was sent.
• But not the date of the event in question.
• Name of original sendor - but no email to RSVP too.

I don’t have the first email.

• Not sure I saw it.
• Don’t have enough information to respond to the second.
• Whatever.

Onward and upward space ranger!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…do you give your members the information they need to take the action you want?

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   I was intrigued.

They gave the URL.

• My computer was in my lap.
• I went to their website.
• And everything went downhill.

I wanted to see if an event was scheduled in Michigan.

• Tried to use their calendar.
• And could not figure it out.
• I was shocked.

I’ve been surfing for years.

• A simple calendar search should be a no-brainer.
• It wasn’t.
• I couldn’t make it give me what I wanted.

What went wrong?

• Button confusion.
• Too much information.
• Written in insider code.

After three attempts, I gave up.

• Too much effort.
• Didn’t have time to waste.
• The TV hook forgotten.

Plus, if their search is this hard, their event is probably poorly run too, right?

Makes me think of chapter leaders…is your chapter’s website experience a potential member repellent?

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   Of the overachiever.

I’ve got a letter to write.

• A welcome letter for an event.
• I’m the facilitator.
• The letter will come from me.

I’ve written it four times now.

• Yes, FOUR times.
• I’m a speedy writer.
• This never happens.

Even worse… I’m not happy with any of them.

• Are they correct? Yes.
• Are they professional? Yes.
• But they aren’t me.

I am a trained writer.

• I can match other’s styles.
• And write in “corporate-speak” with the best.
• (I did 4.0 my MBA…)

Ironically, the association wanted me - not a stiff suit.

• They know me.
• And enjoy me.
• So why am I wigging out?

I need to drop the chameleon act - and get back to Cynthia.

Makes me think of chapter leaders… do you showcase the leader you are - or the one you think others want you to be?

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    What would you do?

Got an email from a membership organization.

• They decided they want closer relationships with members.
• Identified a team of volunteers.
• To meet with their members.

To grease the skids, the leaders…

• Informed members volunteers would be calling.
• Explained they want a “brief” 15 minutes.
• Asked please meet with them.

What’s my problem?

• What’s in it for me to give my time?
• They don’t mention any benefits.
• And I’m busy.

15 minutes is not brief.

• I’m stretched thin.
• Plus they want to do this in person.
• (Do I have to learn how to make coffee too?)

Is the visit supposed to be the benefit?

• How is spending 15 minutes with an unknown volunteer going to help me?
• Five minutes on the phone, maybe.
• I’m not feeling the love for this outreach.

What would you do?

• Would you take the meeting?
• Why?
• Am I being grumpy today?

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you spell out the benefits when asking for your members’ time?

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   Barely!

Last night I flew home.

• Baltimore to Detroit.
• Short flight.
• No-brainer, right?

Wrong - not last night!

• I was comfortable in seat 2C.
• Just asked for a Diet Coke.
• In the corner of my eye it all started.

A woman lunged towards the drink cart.

• My heart sank.
• Something green started coming out of her mouth.
• The passenger behind me bodychecked the woman.

She twisted sideways - away from me.

• Fell to the floor.
• Throwing up as she dropped.
• Gasping going on all over.

The Delta flight attendants were pros.

• Covered her up.
• Made sure she was safe.
• Asked for a doctor on the plane.

The air wafted fragrantly.

• I leaned towards the guy next to me.
• Told him I wasn’t getting fresh…
• Just needed fresh air!

They got the woman stabilized.

• Cleaned up.
• Back in her seat.
• They cleaned the aisle.

By the time we were to land all was fine.

• Delta flight attendants rocked.
• The ill woman was treated with respect.
• The woman ahead of me slept through it all.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…when board decisions make members ill, do you have a Plan B ready to go?

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