Hurricanes are all the rage these days, and not in a good way for those in their way! As I watched Gustav take aim on the Louisiana coast the other week and Ike bear down on the Texas coast this week, I thought of the hurricane that has become synonymous with me and Pathos Leadership Group.
Four years ago on September 12th, 2004, a hurricane named Ivan was ripping through the warm waters of the Carribean. A category 3 hurricane, it was big and bad enough to consider a threat to all in its path. I was oblivious to it! After all, I lived in Dallas/Fort Worth, which is far enough inland to not have to worry about too many hurricanes. Unfortunately, I wasn't in land-locked DFW at the time.
A month earlier (August), I was chosen by my employer to host a recognition trip to Cancun, Mexico for 200 sales leaders. I'd helped structure the trip, how the candidates would qualify and even announced the winners. Usually, that's where my participation ended...Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. I rarely got to go on these recognition trips, which was really disappointing because they were always in great locations (NCAA Final 4 of the Men's Basketball Tournament, the Super Bowl, the NCAA Football National Championship, etc). This time, I petitioned and politicked hard to get on this trip to Mexico. I had never been to Mexico and these trips were first class all the way, so I worked to get on the "invite" list. NOTE: My mother always said be careful what you ask for! Your mother too? Small world...I should have listened.
When we landed in Cancun it was beautiful...Blue sky above, 90* temperature, 15 mph trade wind...Break out the Coppertone! 10 hours later the recognition dinner was in full swing with lots of dancing, drinking and whooping it up! Then the meeting planner approached me and looked terrible. Her hair was normally all spiked up and crazy looking. Now, with sweat dripping off the ends of her hair, she looked like a member of the Beattles who had just run a marathon! I asked her what was up and with panic filled eyes she told me "Hurricane Ivan is coming right at us! There's a 90% probability that it will be a direct hit on the peninsula of Cancun." I'll never forget that moment or the next one. Because the next moment I looked over at the table of VIP company executives. They were having a similar conversation with the senior executive. At the conclusion of his remarks, they all got up from their seats. From across the room, one looked directly at me, he even pointed to me to make certain that we'd made eye contact, and then he gave me the thumbs up. All of them then left the ballroom together and in a hurry.
I asked one of the other company rep's what are we doing? He told me that the executives were all getting on the G5 and heading back to Texas. I told him "Great, I haven't even unpacked my bags up in my room. Where are we meeting...In the lobby in 10 minutes?" He informed me that we weren't going anywhere, the executives were leaving...NOT US!
At that moment a range of emotions and thoughts went through my head. I felt betrayed and mad that the executives were leaving us behind. I was scared that I'd never see my Dad, Mom, wife and kids again. The hotel manager tried to reassure us that they had enough food and water for 14 days in the event of a direct hit. Unfortunately, if there was a direct hit everyone would be evacuated to the airport. There, they only had enough food and water for the thousands of people that would show up for 48 hours!
I went back to my room and called my Dad. He knew I was there and he was an avid weather watcher. He told me that the storm was coming right for me. He knew that I was in trouble. I put on the performance of a lifetime and told him and my Mom that I was OK and everything would work out. I had similar conversations with my wife and kids. After both conversations I hung up the phone and cried. I then dropped to my knees and prayed. I prayed for a way out. I prayed that I'd see my Dad again. I prayed that I'd see my family. Surely this isn't where it was supposed to end for me is it?
Right then and there I received a sign. It was more like a directive. The thought went through my head saying "If you get out of here, you've got to get out of here!" I had always said that I wanted my own business again. I had always loved the leadership topics. Right then and there I said to myself and God that if I get out of this alive, I am going to start my own company and do what I want to do. Four years ago today, the building blocks of what Pathos Leadership Group (http://www.pathosleadershipgroup.com/) were formed!
There have been three "flash points" in my life. Hurricane Ivan was one of them! So what can a hurricane do for you? If you're like me, everything! It can help you align what you've always said that you were going to do and get you to do it. In writing this, most of you will never feel the effects of a hurricane. Hopefully, you'll never feel the betrayal I experienced. Do you need a hurricane-like I experienced to change your thoughts and change your life? You decide...
