February 22, 2008

“Look at him.  He’s a native no matter what town he’s in.”

You all know someone like him.  He knows practically everyone at the conferences you attend.  The people he doesn’t know, he quickly meets and treats as if they were fast friends.  When visiting a city for the first time, he is able to drive directly (and without directions) to his destination.

The first time I spent any significant time with the subject of this week’s quote was when we were traveling into downtown Washington, DC for a meeting.  His driving was erratic because he kept using his hands to add emphasis to his half of our conversation.  I’m not sure why he had rear and side view mirrors.  His eyes would train on me every time I spoke.  While I should have been fearful for my life, I somehow felt at ease.  It must have been his kind way, his thoughtful demeanor, and his genuine interest in me that made everything else seem unimportant.

Many of my colleagues would gaze in wonder at him as he greeted others.  His easy manner enabled him to collect information that it would take most people months to gather.  Over the years, I remember seeing him at destinations around the country:  West Point, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Orlando, FL; Detroit, MI and so on.  In every instance, he was the same guy.  People were his number one interest.  It could be one of the servers at dinner or an executive with whom he was trying to close a deal.  To him, they were all people for whom he cared.

On one occasion years ago, I saw him outside the U.S. Naval Academy stadium prior to a Navy football game.  He was going through the reception tents in the parking lot and being greeted as if he had been part of every Annapolis graduating class from 1965 to 1982.  Amazing is an understatement for what I witnessed.

Just prior to his retirement, a good friend of mine and I watched him work a room one last time.  My friend observed, “Look at him.  He’s a native no matter what town he’s in.”  No truer statement has ever been made. 

We would all do well to be friendlier, apt to trust, and more aware of those around us.  He taught me that relationships are first, no matter what town you’re in.