A recent social media workshop at an MJ bar venue was a rich vein of learning for me.  Several of us were going to ride together to the meeting.   It all began at the “driver’s seat.”  I usually like to drive – “be in charge” you know.  Then it struck me like a 2 ton hammer!  I don’t always have to drive.   I suddenly recalled the NCIS episode I saw recently where Gibbs (THE leader) threw the squad car keys to another member of his team as a sign that they were going to take “the lead.”  “Wow,” I said to myself.   “Let’s see how “Gibbish” I can be,” as I asked for a volunteer to drive.  One team member grabbed the keys, we all piled in (with me in the back seat) and we hit the road.  Those two hours just flew by as we were all deeply involved in the conversation (one of the best conversations we’ve had – no quiet “mouses” the crowd!)  Learning Point #1 catalogued!

At 3:00 pm, with laptops in hand, we kicked off the workshop and the conversation started flowing again, only now involving the local bar staff with the LOP team members. “Let’s push the envelope,” I told myself, “and see how far I can take this.”   Then I  remembered how my dad, Vince and Dr. B almost always were very quiet during the main conversation, allowing lots of space for others to share their views and engage in the thought processes going on.

Now I love to talk — and I think I’ve got lots of great ideas, so it was very hard for me to keep quiet.  BUT, I kept reminding myself that what I wanted more than talking was growing other people to take responsibility for producing the results we so desperately needed.  I am striving to be a leader on The Journey.   It was tough though — and I slipped a few times.  But, I was amazed at the outcomes.

The main topic at hand was Facebook and its ability to drive business to the venue.   Everyone, including the bar staff, was highly engaged in the conversation about posting events, content, check-in campaigns, and advertising.   One of the bartenders said,  “Well this is cool, but who does this?  Can I do this?”    One of the LOP members (please note it was NOT ME!) responded by saying, “Of course!  It works best when you do it.  It works best when all of you do it!  Not just your manager”.

The workshop went from one hour to two and, while I hated to do it, I had to call for the “wrap up.” THE RESULTS:   At the start of the meeting (3:00 pm) the venue had 62 “likes” to their Facebook page.  By the time I was eating eggs in the morning they hit 120 “likes”!   As I sit and write this they are climbing past 140.

My Key Learning from this week:

Passing “the keys” to others convinces them they have the POWER to take independent action; being quiet opens up space for others to validate the PERMISSION to “do it!” and my validating it at the end with the wrap-up statement “You guys are in charge of making it happen – and we, on the LOP, have your back” gave the umbrella of PROTECTION.  The 3 P’s — Power, Permission, and Protection are alive and well and great leverage points for leaders to grow people and profits.