I had the opportunity last year, on a flight back to LAX from Nashville via Dallas, to sit a couple seats in from of Ben Stein and his wife Alexandra. I’m not normally a star struck person but I wanted to engage and introduce myself to him. So I did. During cruise flight, I got out of my seat turned around and introduced myself and mentioned to him it was a pleasure to meet him and that I enjoy his discussions on Fox News and his ultimate role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. He laughed and immediately introduced me to his wife Alexandra and then was the most friendly, humble person I have met in a while. He and I briefly talked politics, movies and I snapped the above picture.
You may be thinking, “what is the big deal here?” Well, what I learned is that being cordial, humble and thankful to whoever wants to talk with you weather its family, an old friend, a client, a team member, doing it with a smile and being genuine is the key. Ben could of turned away, been stand offish, etc. He was not. I think about this sometimes when people want to pick my brain about different things and being a very succinct person it’s hard for me to engage in long deep conversations.
As a leader we are always learning weather it’s from books, trainings or just simple conversations and reflection on a flight home. Never pass up an opportunity to do some introspection and learn!
