At a Leadership Development Workshop

I prefer not to work with friends unless it's a charity project, or a one-off project, say a conference or panel discussion, or prep for an article or a feature, the sorts. Those are fun! I certainly do not do 'business' with friends to 'share' in a restaurant/cafe/pet business, et cetera. I do not do investments with friends who are bankers. I keep those strictly separate. Money and friends, often, don't go together this way. 

If I view someone as a friend, we do not talk about money. The moment we do, we're not friends anymore. This motto has served me well through the years, allowing me to sift out the gems who are still friends with me today. I can't be more glad that the BFF and the dear faeriefolk share my views on this matter. 

At S's invitation, I tagged along to a two-day leadership development workshop that she was facilitating. I was at this workshop to do administrative things. S needed to keep her mind on the reading mood of the participants, walking through the design of the program and guiding the direction she needed the conversations would go. In leadership programs like this, I like to assist the lead facilitator and keep program participants in line. My strength is not in talking to people. I don't like to lead a workshop. I prefer to facilitate small group conversations if required, since I've been extensively trained to do that. So I'm not entirely useless. Hahaha! 

I requested for payment in kind — coffee, lunch, AC, wifi, a comfy chair and table. After all, my work isn't a similar industry, I'm neither a competitor nor a freelance trainer. I don't even know how to quote a fee to S. I'm quite happy to just hang out for two days because the dates coincided with a break between my own (paying) projects. I took it as an opportunity to pad up corporate experiences in a different industry. Of course the bonus was to have lunch with her for the two days. Hahaha. Lunch was quick and utilitarian before we ran off for a 10-minute down time to reset before beginning the afternoon session.  

In an ancient analogy of a power structure, I wouldn't be a good Emperor or Prime Minister. I'd be an ideal war advisor hiding in the shadows and I'm happiest to remain as that. I'm not on LinkedIn and I don't need to 'network'; I'm really awkward at that. I'm just thankful that my new projects continue to roll in without my having to 'sell myself' very much. I do best at analysis, research, paperwork, reading the room and formulating a strategy.