The message was compelling. With the right dress, appropriate demeanor, and rhetoric that resonated, I caught myself accepting the ideas. Combined with crisp logic and simple ideas, the presentation was impressive. I found myself wanting to believe even more. I love new ideas. When the ideas fill a void that others seemed to have missed, everyone pays attention, myself included! As listened to the comments of others, it was obvious that I was not the only one who was impressed.
In the days that followed I explored the message, the firms involved, and the individuals leading the effort. The feedback was initially confusing, yet as more came in I could see a consistent pattern developing. The great start with the presentation appeared to be fading. I found myself wanting to confront the presenter. If I could, my words would have been directly to the point; it is a “slippery road you’ve put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.”(Psalm 73.18) I found that very little of the original presentation held up in the end.
Life’s reminders for me include the following.
Just because something seems to be true, one should never presume that it is. It is always good to verify and validate what one wants to embrace.
Good, well intention, and believing people do not always have truth. Even the best make mistakes at times. While character and intent count, they are not the only checkpoints one should use.
Patience protects us far more than we realize. Taking time to plan is always a good idea. Leverage the experiences and lessons of others. As urgent as many situations and opportunities appear to be, there is often more time than one realizes.
The big idea continued to fade with time. The reality of the presentation was that the ideas that seemed so wonderful, compelling, and interesting, turned out to be mostly hot air. As I look back I wonder why I was so convinced. Great ideas are compelling in themselves. As a rule, they do not need force to live and grow.
