Have you ever had to speak to a group or make a presentation? Now think of the emotional difference you feel when speaking to a group of 100 versus a group of 10. The large group you are pumped and excited that so many came to hear you and your presentation will reflect that feeling. The small group you get discouraged and frustrated and your presentation isn’t so dynamic now is it? Unless you are a seasoned speaker having spoken to every size group there is you will probably agree with me on the emotion described above. The same is true in hosting a group, that the larger the attendance the more excited you feel.
Don’t Get Discouraged
I have learned this lesson before but it was brought home to me again this past week. I was hosting our NACBA chapter Business Luncheon at our church and by the day before the meeting we had 7 people reserved. It’s a new group and we only have 14 paid memberships so i should have expected a small group. I called the guest speaker to let him know we only had 7 people coming and he said no big deal it did not matter to him. I sort of felt it would be a discouragement to any speaker to only have 7.
Always Listen to your Wife
The day before the meeting i was telling my wife about the low response to the luncheon and how hard i had worked to get it organized. Words of wisdom men: always LISTEN to your wife! She reminded me of something i knew but was not implementing. She said i should show up tomorrow and set the meeting like 100 were coming; with excellence. Set the room up nice, make an agenda, give handouts, create name tags, and be positive. Then after the meeting, spread the word to those that did not come that they missed an excellent luncheon.
Do Excellence No Matter What
I did just that and by 9am on the day of the luncheon i had the room all set and ready. A few hours before the luncheon another member called asking if he could come last minute and bring two guests. Now before i would have been upset he waited so long. But with my new attitude i said absolutely come and bring whoever. My wife also said to order more food than you need just in case.
Excellence is excellent
We had 11 actually attend the luncheon, the speaker was great and had important info for us, people were taking notes, asking questions, they talked and introduced themselves around the tables, and said they had a great time. What was i thinking being discouraged by the small number. So what! Do excellence every time for the ones that do come. They will appreciate that! Make the ones that can attend feel valued and important. Get to know them and thank them for taking the time to come.
The Road to Excellence
It was a great NACBA Chapter Business Luncheon and i as a few were leaving they picked up membership applications and said they wanted to join the group. One administrator said he would host one of the upcoming meetings. Now, if i had gone in there with a small group attitude the outcome would not have been so good.
We need to get on the road to excellence and stop doing good and great! Excellence is a habit not an act. It Takes practice and perseverance!
Are you on the road to excellence?
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