That Time Sweaty Sean Was Called To The Principal's Office

I'm just kidding around with that headline. I wasn't sent to the actual principal's office! Sweaty Sean was well past school age when this particular story took place. But play along for now and I'll explain...

This all happened during a key period when I was growing in my role as a communicator and feeling quite good about how things were progressing. I'd been able to successfully carry out several key deliverables, had developed a proven track record as a team player, and was becoming a trusted advisor to leadership.

One day, I saw a future media opportunity on the radar and my spidey-sense told me that there could be problems if we proceeded. Given this was already being planned for, was it too late to change course? And assuming there was enough time to do so, how was I going to make that change happen?

I really struggled with this one and vividly remember losing sleep as I kept going over the pros and cons in my head. After the second sleepless night, I decided to put my rationale in writing so that I could present it to my manager, my consultant and a senior leader for their initial thoughts.

All three people agreed with my thesis, noting that there was reason enough for concern here. And, to their credit, each of them encouraged me to pursue this initiative. With trusted advisors in my corner, I began writing a note to the senior leader who would need to approve my plan. Without being overly wordy but still giving adequate context, I shared my concerns and formally recommend against pursuing media coverage.

I don't mind saying, I put quite a bit of work into that very brief email, and by the time it was sent, the working day was pretty much done. I drove home that night thinking that one of two things could happen - my advice would either be followed or dismissed. I was prepared for either scenario. If it was followed, that was a win. If it was dismissed? Hey, at least I tried my best.

The next morning, I had just arrived at work (hadn't even opened the door to my office) when I received an urgent email that I was being asked to meet with the leader in question in half an hour. Gulp!

Dozens of thoughts went through my mind. Was I about to be praised for proactively trying to avoid to a potential disaster? No, that couldn't be it - that could have been a simple email response. Maybe I was being reprimanded for going against the plan? Didn't seem likely. Was I going to be fired? The negative scenarios began to run amuk in my mind as I boarded the elevator and planned to meet whatever doom awaited me.

Waiting outside the door, I felt as though I was being called into the principal's office (see - I told you that analogy would come back later!). My heart was racing and I have no doubt I was visibly sweating bullets just standing there. Now, to be fair... this particular leader is someone I respect tremendously to this day. He has never been the "chew you out" type and is known for being receptive to people who challenge the norm. But this sudden request to meet was playing havoc with my nerves, and of course I was just assuming the worst.

By the time I was welcomed into his office, there was no visible evidence I was about to be fired, chewed out, or tossed from his top-story window to the floor below. He actually had a friendly and bemused look on his face, explaining that he's not used to being asked not to do press. I immediately sensed there was a challenge being placed in front of me. Time to put my salesman suit (even it if was a sweaty salesman suit)!

I mentioned I wouldn't have even raised this if I didn't truly care about the matter at hand, and quickly recapped the headwinds I foresaw, explaining what a worst-case scenario could look like. He absorbed the concerns I presented and came back with some very reasonable counterpoints to each. I countered with a rebuttal of my own, and even recalled a precedent where this had happened before (Old Man Pasternak does his homework!).

In the end, we came to a compromise, one where we wouldn't proceed exactly as planned, but could still deliver the proper message to members of the press. We briefly discussed the execution of this new twist, and I was dismissed by the principal in time to attend third-period French.

While the whole idea of this meeting was unnerving... I have to admit it felt great walking away and back to my office. I felt as though I added value to the process and just as importantly, was listened to and taken seriously.

Also? Sweaty. I felt really sweaty.

If you enjoyed reading this edition of?Storytelling by Sean, please encourage your friends and colleagues to subscribe. If you have any feedback, please drop me a note on LinkedIn, on Twitter @seanbpasternak, or via [email protected].