decided to send him to this semisecret workshop that is a complete mystery even to his own manager.
Alan gave the envelope a proud look. Damn, it feels good. It just feels good. Now let ’s see what they have to say.
Five minutes later, it became clear that the organizers of the mysterious workshop had chosen not to reveal much to the students-to-be upfront. To be fair, they did provide some information, but in limited quantities. For example, they chose to share their excitement at welcoming yet another bright participant to their honorable establishment. They also chose to inform the reader about the fact that The Workshop had been in existence for many years and that every single instance of it was a tremendous success. They mentioned rather vaguely some extremely satisfied and extremely powerful clients, whose corporate identities they were not at liberty to reveal in a public document. They went as far as to show a picture of a cozy wooden lodge on the shore of a crystal lake along with directions from all major highways and the airport.
They promised to supply, upon completion of the workshop , an extensive report accompanied by an analysis of leadership potential. This particular promise sounded less exciting, but since there was nothing that could be done about it, Alan just went on reading. Next, they promised to turn a bright participant into an equally bright leader. As supporting evidence , the brochure included a picture of a young man with an aquiline profile whose forehead was furrowed , à la Rodin ’s The Thinker , due to some heavy thinking process. According to the caption, the young man was a real participant of The Workshop captured in action.
That was it. There was not a word about their approach, schedule or techniques. Nor did the brochure shed much light on why a Senior VP would be personally involved in this matter.
Although there was something else: a plain white piece of paper with two short questions and a fairly strongly worded request to think about them and to come up with honest answers. The word honest was unambiguously underlined. Alan read the questions once again and grinned. Do they really expect honest answers? He tossed the paper carelessly back on the desk and stood up. Does it even matter what they expect and what techniques they use? The real value of this workshop is not in its content. What matters is that he ’s going there. As for the questions . . . w ho ’d answer this?
“Why did I get into my current position? What do I want more than anything else when I think about my future career?”
You know why. And you know what. But to say it out loud? You ’re not that naive, are you? He grinned again and began stuffing the colorful papers back into the envelope.
Don’t we just love playing with words? A workshop that creates true leaders! What a line. A leader. Someone who is followed. Someone who is looked up to. Someone whose word is law. A rare breed. Do you want to become one of them? Then our workshop is just what you need! We ’ll turn you into a true leader , even if asking who ’s last in line has been a major challenge for you. As long as you have spent the p ast five years passing down orders issued by others, attending meetings with importan t participants and sitting on countless committees, you are qualified. You have potential while we have our methods.
Let’s combine these powerful ingredients in a five-day act of unification—and , like the p hoenix , you will be reborn, this time a true leader. Your subordinates will start idolizing you, your wife will change her sour “What ’s that?” to the sweetest , “Of course, darling ,” and your manager will value your advice above his own opinion. And, like a prophet , you will set off on a journey to lead your people to the shining goals that only your eyes can see. Try it, live it, enjoy it! It ’s free—your employer has already taken care of the fat bill. Don ’t lose this
Alan gave the envelope a proud look. Damn, it feels good. It just feels good. Now let ’s see what they have to say.
Five minutes later, it became clear that the organizers of the mysterious workshop had chosen not to reveal much to the students-to-be upfront. To be fair, they did provide some information, but in limited quantities. For example, they chose to share their excitement at welcoming yet another bright participant to their honorable establishment. They also chose to inform the reader about the fact that The Workshop had been in existence for many years and that every single instance of it was a tremendous success. They mentioned rather vaguely some extremely satisfied and extremely powerful clients, whose corporate identities they were not at liberty to reveal in a public document. They went as far as to show a picture of a cozy wooden lodge on the shore of a crystal lake along with directions from all major highways and the airport.
They promised to supply, upon completion of the workshop , an extensive report accompanied by an analysis of leadership potential. This particular promise sounded less exciting, but since there was nothing that could be done about it, Alan just went on reading. Next, they promised to turn a bright participant into an equally bright leader. As supporting evidence , the brochure included a picture of a young man with an aquiline profile whose forehead was furrowed , à la Rodin ’s The Thinker , due to some heavy thinking process. According to the caption, the young man was a real participant of The Workshop captured in action.
That was it. There was not a word about their approach, schedule or techniques. Nor did the brochure shed much light on why a Senior VP would be personally involved in this matter.
Although there was something else: a plain white piece of paper with two short questions and a fairly strongly worded request to think about them and to come up with honest answers. The word honest was unambiguously underlined. Alan read the questions once again and grinned. Do they really expect honest answers? He tossed the paper carelessly back on the desk and stood up. Does it even matter what they expect and what techniques they use? The real value of this workshop is not in its content. What matters is that he ’s going there. As for the questions . . . w ho ’d answer this?
“Why did I get into my current position? What do I want more than anything else when I think about my future career?”
You know why. And you know what. But to say it out loud? You ’re not that naive, are you? He grinned again and began stuffing the colorful papers back into the envelope.
Don’t we just love playing with words? A workshop that creates true leaders! What a line. A leader. Someone who is followed. Someone who is looked up to. Someone whose word is law. A rare breed. Do you want to become one of them? Then our workshop is just what you need! We ’ll turn you into a true leader , even if asking who ’s last in line has been a major challenge for you. As long as you have spent the p ast five years passing down orders issued by others, attending meetings with importan t participants and sitting on countless committees, you are qualified. You have potential while we have our methods.
Let’s combine these powerful ingredients in a five-day act of unification—and , like the p hoenix , you will be reborn, this time a true leader. Your subordinates will start idolizing you, your wife will change her sour “What ’s that?” to the sweetest , “Of course, darling ,” and your manager will value your advice above his own opinion. And, like a prophet , you will set off on a journey to lead your people to the shining goals that only your eyes can see. Try it, live it, enjoy it! It ’s free—your employer has already taken care of the fat bill. Don ’t lose this
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