I sometimes don't ask enough questions. Invariably, when that happens, I have a tendency to over-think expectations, and sometimes I figuratively find myself behind the eight ball.
I was surprised and pleased when I was asked several weeks before the 2023 CORE National Conference to participate in a podcast while I was in South Dakota. In preparation for the experience, I was invited to participate in a Zoom call to discuss possible topics.
The discussion left me feeling comfortable that I could accommodate what was being asked of me. The answers I provided to the questions seemed to correspond with the subject matter and content they were hopeful to receive. In addition, I found both of the people with whom I visited very personable and inviting.
I have a great appreciation for folks who write well. The employee responsible for the content of the podcast curriculum is a seasoned professional. Her ability to put words together that captivates one's interest is without dispute. When she stated that she would script the podcast before hand, I thought to myself that this was a formula for success.
Whether my memory was flawed related to the length of the podcast, I can't say. I thought she indicated the length would be about twenty-five minutes. True to her word, late in the week before the General and I left for South Dakota, I had the script in my email in-box.
In my rush to get other things done, I set the unopened script aside and was comfortable that there would be absolutely no stress associated with the podcast. After all, what could go wrong?
After arriving in South Dakota, I hurriedly opened the email and read through the script that included questions. A notation was made for me to answer the questions in my own words.
Miracle of miracle, a number of different answers and examples came to mind when I read the questions. This was a piece of cake, so to speak. If I had butterflies associated to speaking, they all seemed to be flying in formation.
By the way, I always have butterflies and some level of stress associated to my ability to capture attention and provide meaningful content when I am speaking. I am not a natural when it comes to speaking impromptu. Though I never read my script to an audience, it serves as a security blanket for me to at least have some idea what I'm going to verbally express before hand.
The night before the podcast, it occurred to me that the length of the podcast was anticipated to be about twenty-five minutes. I don't have a reputation for being a man of few words. What if my answers to the questions were too long?
Insecurity and doubt rolled in like a heavy fog. How could I have been so inept? There clearly had been an expectation for me to script my responses to go along with the scripted questions. Though the marching orders had been flexible (i.e.: "in your own words)," I had disappointingly provided no words or sought out feedback. How could I be so dumb?
Surprise – Surprise - I was awake at 3:30 a.m. the following morning. I was showered and dressed before making my way downstairs to the hotel lobby. I was at least smart enough not to turn the overhead light on and awaken the General. I noticed that is was 4:00 a.m.
As thoughtfully as one can be at that time of morning, I used my laptop computer and scripted my responses to the questions. I breathed a sigh of relief when around 7:00 a.m., I emailed the responses to folks involved in the podcast.
As it turned out, no one was expecting me to provide a written response. The insecurity and doubt that rolled in like a heavy fog was of my own making. The man providing background information and narrating the questions for the podcast had the voice of a radio or television personality.
In visiting with him briefly before the podcast, I found that he was incredibly personable, and I was immediately at ease. I set my written script (security blanket) aside and we had a very relaxed conversation. I sensed that the podcast went well and I emerged with a new friend.
The person that had arranged the podcast and provided the written narrative, including the questions, told me not to forget to take my coffee cup with me as a gift. The black coffee cup was the ideal size.
The Lakota word Hóčhoka (emphasis on the first syllable) means the center of the camp circle. The name speaks to the actual location of the recording studio at the heart of campus, the centrality of the mission of St. Joseph's Indian School to all that they do, the role of the podcast to be at the center of the Native American educational conversation and gather others around that conversation.
I will treasure the coffee cup going forward because it will serve a daily reminder of new friends in South Dakota who understand the importance of supporting the culture of those they serve.
The cup and the memories it triggered made my coffee taste better this morning.
All My Best!
Don
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