The Warm Fuzzies

Fall 2009

Organization Development Conference in Seattle, Washington.  We had been dealing with the fallout of the 2008 economic crisis for about a year.  Still trying to do business as normally as possible minus a bunch of revenue.

To get to this conference we needed to be presenters (that paid for attendance) and we scheduled a TMS accreditation in Tacoma right after with the help of an amazing local colleague (that paid for expenses).

The title of our presentation: Challenging Systems Thinking – Experience Looking for a Theory.  Good for whoever let us present, given that focus!

They put us in a room kind of out of the way, more than kind of actually.  Probably thought no one would come.

There weren’t enough chairs for everyone!  People chose to sit on the floor.  Awesome!  Scary!

The first person in the room asked if I had done the program with Ralph Stacey.  No, I had never met him.  She had done the PhD program with him.  Awesome!  Even more scary!  Our presentation was focused on his and his colleagues’ work.

The first question was about 30 seconds in; ‘Why are you talking about causality?’  Figured he was a philosopher.  Can’t remember how I answered but I do remember causality guy relaxing and saying, ‘Glad I’m here!’

Fast forward a few hours.  In a cab on the way to Tacoma.  The feeling is all warm and fuzzy.  Feels a bit like floating, the sun is a perfect temperature, the road has no bumps.

The presentation was totally awesome, even with the scary.  That’s what caused the warm fuzzies; I know that for sure.  Can’t really say what caused the awesome presentation.  You can’t plan on PhD lady being the most supportive and encouraging participant.  You can’t plan on causality guy relaxing.  You can’t plan on someone you know attending your presentation and you can refer to their work.  You can’t plan on people finding your obscure room.

You can be prepared and do your best and once in a while you get the warm fuzzies.

I don’t think they happen if you plan for them.