“I think in terms of people and how to best serve them”
Yes. There’s a blank space on my resume. No. I didn’t take years off to do a solo expedition across Antarctica (although some of my days really did feel that hard).
What happened? I moved.
“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes is a plus for everybody- Anthony Bourdain
It’s a huge life change to move from what you know. Family, friends, hometown… For me, moving from Boston to the Bay Area was a massive life change. I was ready.
Once I got to the Bay Area, I was fortunate to land a job in software sales. The person that hired me was from New England too, his name was Mark. Or, as I pronounced it, “MaHk” which made us both laugh.
The rest, as they say, is history. Moving up the ranks from inside sales to account executive, marriage, and two kids later I was still loving everything about my job. Juggling it all was not easy but it always seemed to work itself out.
Then, pregnant with my third boy, everything changed. My son, who had yet to be born was given no chance at life after birth. As one not-so-kind Doctor put it “the left side of his brain is obliterated.”
“Take the step. Step aggressively toward your fear. That is the step into bravery.”- Jocko Willink
My youngest son, Zachary, is profoundly disabled. Here is a list of his medical diagnoses:
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Cerebral Palsy
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Quadriplegia
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Severe Intellectual Disability
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Global Developmental Delay
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Bilateral Hip Dysplasia
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Congenital Hydrocephalus
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Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum
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Epilepsy
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Asthma
Here’s my list:
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Perfection
I’m not dismissing Zac’s diagnoses, which are all true and important in understanding his present and long-term care…
What I’m saying is, Zac is a miracle. We all are.
Don’t get me wrong, I was terrified. Somehow though, I found the strength to step into that fear. It’s in this space where vulnerability, empathy, and servanthood meet.
Loving Zac was easy. Learning to let go of the unknown, that fear, not so much. Little by little, I built the courage to handle his disabilities. What I always knew was now absolutely clear: We are here to serve others. This is our one collective calling.
This realization helped me break through that feeling of “can’t” to “can”. It helped me to take complete ownership of “what is”. I couldn’t change my circumstances but I could change my perspective. There were days that were good and other days not so much. But each day, with each step, the good days began to add up.
Then I decided to go back to one of the things that brought me joy-work.
A great company gave me a chance. Slight catch: Boston based. So this time we all moved and I started to plan a comeback.
At Yellowstone National Park, heading due east…
“Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”- Rumi
My “job” is sales development. My “why” is that space of vulnerability, where a true connection with another person is made.
A portion of my outreach is phone based, basically interrupting a person who doesn’t know I’m about to call. It should be noted that the person I’m calling on could care less about my company, services, or me.
My “sales pitch” is dialogue. In other words, it’s about having a conversation, not a pitch. When a person answers the phone I’ve got seconds to gain trust, find problems (that my services can help solve) and add value.
Using Rumi’s quote as my guideline my intention is to uncover the threads that connect us. And, thanks to Zachary, I no longer think in terms of prospects and leads. I think in terms of people and how to best serve them.
1) Vulnerability 2) Empathy and 3) Service to Others = Strength & Power
