Okay, Let's do a Fun Posting . . .

One of items that I am "branded with" is from early in my career, I hated sitting around dinner tables or at happy hour and all the individual conversation going on, and some people who might be on the quiet side would not be involved in any discussion (or have you ever sat next to people that you wish you were eating at a fast food restaurant versus a sit down long meal, you know what I am talking about) . . . so I developed a "technique" whereby I got all involved in the conversation.

I have two techniques that many of the readers have probably been involved in . . .

1. I Call it "brink dinner rules", after each course, you get up and change places with others, if there is same number of male and females, the females remained seated and males change places . . . this breaks up the conversations and mixes things up. Please please please, make sure you bring the utensils that you had been using, your napkin, and your drink (downside is the waiter(tress) get confused when they bring the next course if different meals, but that becomes fun as well for all parties include the waiter(tress), they want something different as well).

2. I like to ask general questions of everyone at the table, everyone gets to talk, everyone learns something about all the people around the table, which then helps future conversations (gosh the things that you find out about people, WOW!).

a. Here are some questions that I ask?

b What place in the world that you would like to visit but never have?

c What has been your favorite vacation spot?

d If you could live anywhere in the world (money no object), where would you live?

e If you received $1M what would you do with the money?

f If you could relive a year in your life, what age would it be . . . it could mean to just relive or relive and make some changes during that year of life?

g If you were stranded on an island (and there happens to electricity, a dvd player, and CD player), what Book, Movie and Album would you select (yes, I could say, your are on a ship with a complete library of books, movies and albums, the ship catches fire you are only able to grab one of each . . . )

h If you weren't doing what you are today, what would you love to do (if you were paid the exact same)?

i When in your life have you been the happiest? (this is tougher than you think)

j If you were going to have your last meal, what would it be?

k Who was your first kiss? (okay, there are variations on this but this is a public blog . . . )

Now, there has been lots of shy people out there . . . so go ahead and give some answers, I will give my answers shortly.


But bottom line, involve others is key to success, make they feel part of the team, its lonely out there when you feel as an outsider . . . as leaders we need to be inclusive . . . and it will pay off in major dividends in the future. Party On!