Shakespeare Was Right
I took the cover photo that adorns this post on October 8th, 2013 in a little bookshop in Paris. The photo is blurry and that doesn't matter...the words of William Shakespeare remain a constant beacon in my life's journey.
It also holds a special meaning for me in many ways this time every year...but first a story from this week...
An Angel in Disguise
I got a chance to meet up with Alison Challman on Wednesday. We have only met in person once before which was right after she got the job at Intel that I didn't in 2015. In an interesting turn of events...we have managed to stay in contact since then on LinkedIn which ultimately led to our reconnection this week. My relationship with Alison is a shining example of Shakespeare's words...
"Be Not Inhospitable to Strangers Lest They Be Angels in Disguise"
You see... at the end of the interview process it came down to just the two of us. I guess I could have been "inhospitable" towards this stranger who earned the role over me but instead I chose to view her as someone I wanted to get to know. To Alison's credit... and a testament to her character...she took the meeting with me even though she had no obligation to do so. After all I was the runner up to her job...there was no real upside for her.
I remember our meeting fondly and I could not help but be genuinely happy for her success. I also felt comfortable enough with our conversation and instant connection to ask two things of her....
If she was open to it and if the opportunity arose would she keep me in mind to join her new team? I felt we would make a dynamic duo to take on any challenges ahead.
If there was no place on her team...would she keep me in mind if any other opportunities crossed her path?
The end of the story is that a couple of months later someone did reach out to her about an open position they had (Aaron Kaplan at HPE Financial Services) and in an incredible act of generosity (an Angel in disguise) she sent it over to me. And the rest...as they say...is history!
The Serendipity of October 8th
Now back to how this all connects...
October 8th is...
the day I took the Shakespeare photo in an obscure bookshop in Paris (2013)
the day I interviewed for an HPE Financial Services role with Brad Shapiro and Tom Adams - two strangers at the time that took a chance on hiring me (2015)
the day before I married my amazing husband (1993) who turned out to be the most important "angel in disguise" of them all
The Importance of Being Open to Strangers Help
The time with Alison this week was a full circle moment. I am grateful I got to tell her the story and backstory of how her self-less act of forwarding a stranger a job posting changed the course of my life and career.
We also talked about why strangers are sometimes more helpful than those who know us.
We concluded that....
people close to us think we are GREAT and that everything will magically be ok. "You'll be fine...you will land a fantastic job quickly...I'm not concerned for you...you will have multiple offers to choose from...YOU don't need my help" .
strangers don't screen anything out...they just help. In the case of Alison...she had no idea if the job met my expectations or salary range...she just sent it over and let me decide for myself. Someone who knows you might be afraid it would miss the mark or didn't "sound like you".
In Closing...
Take Every Meeting. Alison and I talked about how we both subscribe to the philosophy of not being afraid to take a chance and meet someone new or help someone if you can. While it seems like "anyone" would do that...my experience over the years is that it is very rare that a person takes action or goes out of their way to meet you or help you especially if there isn't anything "in it for them".
Celebrate YOUR Angels. I can honestly say that I have been fortunate to know many other "angels in disguise". My learning is that you have to be open to seeing them and finding them...even on the days when you don't have time or can't immediately see how it all will play out. Not everyone will turn out to be that angel but it shouldn't keep you from trying.
Pay It Forward. I would like to believe that over the years I have made it my mission to "pay it forward" and BE the stranger that helps someone in a moment when they need it most. While I am FAR from an angel... it shouldn't stop me from trying to do good for others when I can.
Serendipity is finding interesting or valuable things by chance
The key is that you have to be paying attention to those around you to create that value or take that chance. Agree?
Leadership Questions of the Week for YOU:
What do YOU think of Shakespeare's quote?
What is YOUR story of being kind to a stranger that turned out to be a serendipitous connection?
Do you have a story where a stranger was kind to YOU in a moment when YOU needed it most?
Why do YOU think some strangers take action and can be more helpful than those connections who know you really well?
Do you find that the more you pay attention and the more value you add... the more angels you find? In other words does a serendipity mindset beget more serendipity?
Thanks for reading….and remember…YOU make a difference!
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