July 28, 2008Ask Meryl ~ How game are you?

A reader asks: Meryl,

You are an incredibly brave person for putting your written words on the line on a regular basis. For that I commend you. I’m sure you receive a lot of criticism and the fact that you stick with it is incredible. It is for this reason that I had to ask myself if I was in your position would I find this suggestion helpful, well I decided yes, so I hope you do as well.

You were expounding on your ability to give, content of, and willingness to do corporate seminars. You finished the statement with “So, yes, I do speak in corporations and at conventions. And I would love to speak at yours. I’m game if you are.” My issue is with “if”. I don’t know you personally however I’m willing to wager that you are always “game”, and there really isn’t an “if.” What do you think about “I’m game, are you?”

I would appreciate your feedback, when you have time, as I’m constantly trying to improve my communication skills. Especially now that I’ve just found out I’m going to be a father and it seems more important than ever to have the skills to use around my child so I can say “do what I say AND what I do” I prefer to be a mentor than a dictator when the time comes.

Meryl responds,

I’m not so brave. I am passionate and determined, and that overrides my fearfulness. I am no braver than most people I know. But thanks for the compliment.

You make a brilliant discerning point. My choice of words predicated my willingness on theirs. Your question made me wonder if I said what I meant.

In my persistence to promote the seminar I’m sponsoring, I knock on doors of people who don’t seem to be game, and then I knock again. And again. Sometimes the doors give way and open. Other times I decide they aren’t “my target market” and speak to those who are.

I’m very much in favor of speaking to those who want to hear what you have to say – but I also know sometimes it takes a few attempts for them to know they want to hear it.

I suppose the best choice of words would be: