"You're An Idiot!"

My client was tasked with presenting a progress report to the CEO of his company on the $20 million dollar project he was leading. His approach was not very popular, so he knew this was going to be tough. In the middle of his presentation, the CEO stood up, walked over to him and said, “You’re in idiot!”  Now, much could be said about the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of this CEO, but that’s for another time. Instead I want to focus on my how my client handled this highly charged event.Imagine the scene: 20 people packed into a hot conference room anticipating an ugly meeting.  It’s one of two major initiatives the company is focusing on; everyone knows the company’s future is hinging on its success. And if that weren’t pressure enough, my client gets called an idiot – by the CEO! What would you do? Here’s what my client did: He took a deep breath and said, “I respect your opinion and please let me continue.”  My client held steady. He kept breathing. He checked every so often to make sure he could still feel his feet underneath him. He didn’t panic or react. He didn’t take it personally and he continued to present his ideas solidly and compellingly. Don’t be mistaken, my client’s ability to do any of this wasn’t because he was overly confident in his approach. Instead, he was confident in his ability to stay present in the moment. That was his secret weapon. This practice of staying present is something he has committed to over the last year in working with me. We busted through things getting in the way of that including his energy level, his ego stories, and getting really clear on his purpose. And each of these things led to his ability to stand firm in the face of the toughest and most public criticism he could have received. The payoff?  My client received at least a dozen emails of admiration from colleagues. The CEO apologized and at the end of the meeting and said, “You know, I think you might be right.”  And best of all, my client knows that he has the ability to tap a source of power (and presence) that will guide him through anything.Experiment:In your next meeting, play with being more present. Keep your laptop closed, really listen to your colleagues, and/or notice your body’s reactions. Consider reflect on the concept of presence and see what happens. If you’re like most of my clients, I’m almost certain you’ll get more data, insight and energy – no matter what names might be called!