Lessons from Laguna

Posted on July 31st, 2007 by Keith Ferrazzi

Hi, this is Stephanie blogging today. As one of Keith’s newest employees, I recently drove down to Laguna to hear him speak at the HEALTHforum sponsored by WebMD. 

He was asked to the conference because every year people report on surveys that they didn’t meet enough people, even though there are plenty of people there! Many of us are hesitant to talk to new people in this, or any, situation. During his presentation, Keith pointed out that just as you want people to approach you, people are hoping you will go up to them.  He asked us, “Do you really think that guy standing alone awkwardly with a coffee cup hates people?”

Chesscrop2_4 Keith had us introduce ourselves to another person in the room. I talked to the man next to me and we exchanged names, companies and where we were from. Then Keith had us introduce ourselves to the same person by sharing our passions and struggles. I talked about how, unlike my friends from Yale, at age 29, I was still changing jobs and boyfriends every year. Now I was changing cities as well. He shared that he would love to move to southern California or Paris which his company could easily arrange but his wife won’t leave Pennsylvania.

Next we had to talk to about 10 new people and ask them to help us with a particular issue.  I said I wanted dates in L.A., but it was a very East Coast-heavy crowd. However, the first person I talked to took his assignment very seriously and noted my height requirements, observing that he did not meet them. The last person I talked to worked for Allergan, the maker of Botox, which explained his taut skin. He joked, “I’m actually 73 years old.”

So because of Keith’s speech, each person in the room had talked to at least a dozen new people, and practiced both intimacy and generosity. I left with Mike Milken’s The Taste For Living World Cookbook, some dried apple rings (this was a health conference) and a deeper understanding of Keith’s work. But no dates!

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3 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

  1. Hey Steph,

    Looks like you're a chess geek at heart as well :D Wanna join me for a game? I'll warn you though... I'm not that good.

    ~ mel

    Melvin Ram
    CEO, Volcanic Internet Marketing
    Direct: (916) 743 9369
    Email: melvin@volcanicmarketing.com

  2. Keith's idea was an excellent one. I don't go to too many of the type of events that you were at (perhaps I should). When I do attend, I do notice that the introductions are very awkward. I'm sure that some of those people might be wondering the same thing as me, "Does this person really know what they're talking about? Is this a waste of my time?"
    By having such an icebreaker, it helps to establish some common camaraderie and open people up to the meeting's purpose.

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