So the mysterious (to us VISTAs) Rey Ramsey visited Atlanta, and I had a chance to speak briefly with him this morning. He shared a few things with me on dealing with partners and funders that i'd like to pass along.
First of all, he was exhausted. He rattled off at least 5 cities he'd been in since he'd been home, and this morning's speaking engagement required him to be at New Birth Church at 7:30AM. But he said (and i'm paraphrasing), it doesn't matter what you feel like, you have to summon the energy and be enthusiastic, or no one will work with you. People ask him if he's tired...he says its irrelevant- there is only one way he can show himself in any meeting- energetic and enthusiastic. Great advice for a friday, right?
Secondly, my co-worker Ian, who had been to the speaking engagement this morning, commented that Rey didn't bring any speaking points or anything. Rey commented that he didn't know what he was going to say until he "read the crowd" After he saw something of who they were and what they wanted to hear, he delivered. Ian's comment was: "he hit a home run."
So, for all of us aspiring executives, there's some nuggets of wisdom gleaned from a 5 minute conversation from the man who has earned his own following (hence the "Reydar" that goes out to our emails). Put yourself aside, read what is needed from you, and deliver.
Ruqiyyah
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