We made it from our hotel to the gate at O'Hare's American Airlines terminal in what must be record time: 38 minutes. That's good news, even though we wound up having to sit around for a lot longer than expected. Everything had been going smoothly. Flights were on time, trains were right on schedule and the (seemingly dozens of) taxi drivers we hired along the way seemed to be taking efficient routes between our destinations. Then, we got on the plane in Chicago. We had been sitting there for about 25 minutes when the pilot announced that the mechanics had given the ol' girl a once-over and she was unfit to fly. So, we got off the plane.
Now this was frustrating, to be sure. The Captain seemed grateful for my response when he spoke to me, seemingly in a random fashion, saying "Sorry for the delay, but it's better to be safe." I said, "Sir, I couldn't agree with you more."
Happily, we were in a major airport and there happened to be a spare MD-80 sitting in a hangar. We were delayed about two hours, but it's not the end of the world.
Here's the thing: the American Airlines personnel at O'Hare said they could not check us through on our new connections, that we had to wait until we got to Dallas. We did not believe them, so we called American Airlines on the telephone. Guess what? The guy on the phone checked us through! We are convinced the people on the ground in Chicago were straight-up lying because they just didn't want to fool with it. What other explanation could there be?
When it was all finished, we got home slightly more than an hour later than we had planned, so it wasn't a big deal, at all.
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The good people of Chicagoland were nice enough, I suppose. I can't say they were unfriendly. I can say they were for the most part non-friendly. It's like eye contact is some kind of social transgression. It was the biggest collection of isolationist introverts I could possibly imagine. When we, as southerners, tried to engage them in witty folksy banter, they would get kind of wide-eyed. I swear, if small children had been around, those people might have huddled protectively around them. Mostly, they seemed to walk around like robots, staring straight ahead surrounded by some kind of no-speak zone with a mantra something like "don't look at me, don't speak to me, I am safe here on my own little emotional island." When I broke away from my traveling party, I very much felt alone in a crowd.
And, oh by the way...there seems to be some kind of constitutional prohibition on Coca-Cola products there. I've never seen so much Pepsi. Maybe that's what wrong with those people.
It was a great trip, but I'm glad to be home where people engage in conversations and the Diet Coke flows freely.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Mostly Uneventul Travels
Friday, August 07, 2009
Equipped to Lead?
(Barrington, IL)-Our traveling party to Chicago is a gang of four: a Homeland Security guy, an accountant, a lawyer and me. We have learned never to be shocked to run into someone from home no matter where you go, so it came as no surprise whatsoever to learn that a prominent local minister was making the trip concurrently. So, here we are, the Shreveport Five, energized by inspiring leaders from across the globe.
There actually were people from all over the world assembled here, and thousands more were in venues across the country, participating in the proceedings in real time by satellite (in High Definition, no less!) During breaks, I would wander around the vast Willow Creek facility and (okay, I'll confess) eavesdrop on random conversations. A surprsing number of people seemed to feel the event organizers were too heavy-handed with the spirituality at the expense of practicality. I'm not sure what they expected, considering they signed up to come to one of the largest and most dynamic community churches in the country.
I'm taking away plenty of inspiration to apply in a professional setting, so I say there's nothing to complain about.
There was only one moment that was over the top for my individual sensibilities. The evangelicals among us were moved by a song to the point of hand-raising. If it fed them, then God bless 'em, you know?
David Gergen, an advisor to four U.S. presidents, appeared in person. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair contributed on video, as did legendary humanitarian and rock star Bono. 
The presenter who blew me away, though, was Jessica Jackley Flannery, founder of Kiva, an inspiring microlending company which allows enterpeneurs in underdeveloped areas to start or expand businesses.
There were many other whip-smart, highly successful people over a full two days of summit activity.
This trip was an opportunity for growth in more ways than one. 
I was definitely out of my comfort zone. Clearly, I've gotten to know my four companions much better over the last three days. I particularly enjoyed the company of Prominent Local Minister, who was closer to my age than the others. We took him out to dinner in Chicago and tried, thankfully without success, to corrupt him just a little. I think he enjoyed watching us mildly misbehave.
Now, the rubber meets the road. Can we apply what we've learned in real life? The one thing I can pledge to actually do is participate in Jessica Jackley's enterprise. I'm going to get started on that right away.
Six Flags Over Jesus
(Barrington, IL)- Talk about your "country come to town!" We live in the land of mega churches, but Willow Creek Community Church takes it to a new level.
This is not a concert hall or a sports arena. This is the worship space at Willow Creek.
The church is hosting a leadership summit and this was my first-day view.
The emphasis is on organizational dynamics and employee relations, and it's all bathed in a bright Christian light.
It's been high-energy. There's plenty to take away from the presentations from church and business leaders. Day Two is shaping up to be inspirational and informative.
There is a "worlds collide" dynamic in this part of Chicagoland. The Arlington Million, one of the most prestigious horse races outside of the Triple Crown, is being run tomorrow. Our hotel is filled with dignitaries from the Sport of Kings. Being from a horse racing market, I am significantly tempted to head toward Arlington Park just to see it. I've stood outside of it already, just kind of staring.
Is that the Devil on my shoulder?
Thursday, August 07, 2008
It's All About the Haircuts
(I figured it was okay to go to this thing since a senior vice president at work offered it up as a good idea).
The messages are valuable on many levels and I'm convinced that I will be glad I participated, but I am slightly annoyed by several distractions.
First: we are in a church watching this on TV. It's a big TV, but it's still...well, you know, a TV! So these guys get all preachy and motivaty (motivaty?) and then make a big point and finish with a flourish...and then the people around me START APPLAUDING! Um, Dude? Do you clap at movies? THEY'RE ON TV! THEY CANNOT HEAR YOU!
It's making me insane.
Then, there are the haircuts. All these speakers have these perfect heads of hair, a couple of the do's apparently just caked with product. And my man Burke here has this little soul patch thing going on. They're just too cool and perfect and good lookin' for me.
Honestly, I know it's me, but I'm having a hard time taking Mr. Soul Patch seriously.
The last thing that's bugging me: every one of these guys is selling a CD or a DVD or a series of books. Their messages are valuable, but they lose credibility with me every time they say something like, "I don't have time to go into that in depth here, but there's more about it in the book." Really? How convenient for me. It's nice that you made those materials available at your cost. Wait? What? That's not.....oh, sorry.
Call me a cynic (because I am), but I promise to go back and listen with an open mind, an open heart and a closed wallet. Can I get an amen?
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