The First Thing You Have to Do? Well, Show Up!
In the Tedx Talks video, “Six Keys to Leading Positive Change,” Rosabeth Moss Kanter speaks about six key leadership qualities that encourage “a positive direction of progress.”
The first of these qualities?
Showing up!
The other day I decided I was going to make a change. I had been advertising some new inventory on my online store, shopthewomynwhowrites.com. I hadn’t had any purchases. So, a novel idea struck me. How about I take it to the streets? I had the opportunity to pass by a preschool every morning during my routine traavels. I figured that would be a good opportunity to engage with others in hope of selling my wares - new 2022 calendars.
The day of, I sorely wanted to stay in bed. I was anxious and doubtful about this new venture of mine. I almost backed out of the idea altogether. However, I managed to pull myself together. I packed up a few calendars and took them along on the trip over. I stood awkwardly in the street, trying to make a sale. I was very anxious and it was harder than I thought. I've learned from this experience that selling is no easy task. I had hoped that the straggling mothers and fathers dropping off their children would want a funky new calendar hanging on their walls, considering the upcoming new year. Some people shrugged me off while others appeared interested but didn’t have any cash. At the time, I couldn’t accept the card because my square reader wasn’t working. Regardless, I decided to keep going. I challenged myself to speak to almost everyone on the road. Soon the road was pretty much empty apart from the occasional car that drove by and so I decided to stroll. I took a left and then a right and I talked to a few passer-byes, including a man sitting on a porch. Everyone declined. I winded up in a park. It was a beautiful Wednesday morning. The sun shone on the water and seagulls flew overhead. I interrupted a woman in her morning zen . She said, “No thanks.” Standing at the dock, I saw a man with his dog. Discouraged, I didn’t want to interact with him, but I decided to muster up the spirit and I approached him saying, “Would you be interested in a 2022 calendar?”
Teasing, he said, “Maybe.”
So, after a ten-minute or so dialogue, I walked out of that interaction with one less calendar and my first sale of the day. That man gave me some insight and pointers. I appreciated the advice.
He would end up being my only sale of the day despite further efforts.
After his purchase (and a donation), I was able to purchase more products for my store. However, I left that day with something more important - hope.
“Your presence makes a difference,” Ms. Kanter states.
Doing something completely out of the norm led to a “positive direction of progress.”
The next event went even better.
I can’t wait to share that experience as well.
So, I write this to say (with tears in my eyes), don’t be afraid to show up.
It matters.
As always, with love,
TheWomynWhoWrites.
References
Tedx (2013, January 7). Six keys to leading positive change: Rosabeth Moss Kanter at TEDxBeaconStreet [Video].https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owU5aTNPJbs&t=3s