When I trained people in my former field of credit management, I often said, “I’m not a cookie cutter type of credit manager.” That meant that, even though there were processes in place to help us get the job done, some of the decisions, especially the substantial or unusual ones, were made by evaluating each case individually.
Now that I run my own business, I find that experience served me well. I want to be known for my individuality and flexibility as a trainer. For instance, if a weekly class for eight weeks is too intense for a company, I offer to hold the classes every other week.
Up until now, I’ve presented students with a diploma in the form of a certificate of completion at the final class. You know: the 8 ½ x 11 certificate on heavy stock that proclaims, “This certifies that JOHN SMITH has successfully completed the course DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH CHANGE.”
But then I thought, how predictable is that? If I want to stand out, I need to do something different.
And really, tell me the truth. What has happened to all those certificates you’ve earned over the years? Do you have them framed and hanging on your walls? Perhaps you’ve placed them in a binder, categorized by topic or year of completion. Nah. My guess is that we end up tossing them away. Excuse me, I meant recycling them.
I want my students to REMEMBER the transformational journey of becoming speakers who enjoy the experience of sharing their knowledge, their stories, rather than the nervous and overcome with anxiety “do I really have to give a speech, why can’t I just email a PowerPoint deck?” people who first showed up for class.
So instead of a certificate, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY (Sorry…that corporate baloney phrase somehow snuck in on its own), my students will receive a specially chosen seashell along with a note from me that says:
There are many beautiful, perfectly formed shells to be found on a beach. But that is not what I have chosen for you. This shell, that is perhaps an odd shape, with blemishes, with irregular markings, with ragged edges that have been smoothed over by sand, water, and time, is what I want you to think about every time you give a presentation.
Perfection is highly overrated. If you spend your energy on trying to be that “perfect” presenter, your audience will be the poorer for having missed the real YOU. Yes, we are learning ways to smooth over our own rough edges and finding ways to improve some aspects, but I will never ever ask you to give up your authentic self. You have a story to tell, and the world is waiting to hear it. Thanks for being in the class.
I’m hoping the sentiment will resonate with my students, as least more than a stock certificate would, anyhow. And more importantly, I hope that they’ll keep the diploma – seashell sitting on their desks as a reminder of the journey.
Do YOU need a not-so-perfect shell to remind you that you’re valuable just as you are? Here, pick one!
To my readers: Does anyone keep a memento visible to remind you of a special belief or lesson?
