Life’s Waters (Part 1) (Intern Edition)
Millions of interns around the world will dive into the workforce shortly. Of those, six will be in my care. I feel so committed that I have researched, studied, and written two books on internships. I love the Agile Rainmakers Summer Intern Riptide Program. Why? Because I have found life’s waters rise higher than our stilt homes of education.
Ponds and Gulfs
Just over 20 years ago in May, my brother got married on a Wednesday in the lovely city of Caracas. The wedding was phenomenal with thousands of attendees and a reception that bordered on being a concert. Wisely, he married a truly great woman who loves him dearly to this day. I was the best man. What does my family remember about me at the wedding? That I fell asleep in a chair around midnight in a room next to all the revelry. There is even a picture of me in my tuxedo sitting asleep that brings a chuckle every time.
What is not remembered is I had a work trip to London from Chicago that my new boss insisted I join him on. I needed to learn about our new London office. I cut that trip short after 2 days so I could jump the pond (again) and fly from London to Caracas to make the wedding. So, jetlag going east, then jetlag again coming back, followed by a wedding and a very late night.
At the time I was also leading transformational seminars for Landmark Worldwide. Landmark misprinted the seminar schedule and misinformed 200 participants that Session 2 was the day I was to be in Caracas. Caught by surprise I had to inform 200 new graduates of the Forum at Session 1 that our next session was in 2 weeks not one. This is riskier than swimming across the Gulf because new Forum graduates struggle mightily to honor their word. They drift away in life’s waters. I didn’t have time or a team to remedy this – especially from overseas.
Drowning and Frowning
The tide turned on me. Over 50% of the participants did not show up at Session 2. I had one week to call each of those 100 participants that missed and empower them to come back. Over 12 hours of effort later, few did. As for London, I never went again. A gulf in understanding the culture ensued. Sadly, the London office leader successfully advocated for my plank walk off the firm years later. I was drowning and frowning. The tide had gone out.
Stay Buoyant
School is linear. Life is not. Sometimes you find yourself fighting a current you cannot outswim no matter how well trained and strong you are. Circumstances line up unfavorably. What to do? Chin up, and keep your head above water. Stay cheerful and always do the best you can.
And if you find yourself years later remembered only for napping during a very important time because life drained you, then smile. Life’s waters will smile back at you again. Stay buoyant, my dear intern. Life's waters are yours to love too.
Here's to you and your awesome future.
Until then, keep your feet on the board and keep riding your wave!
Robert J. Khoury
CEO Agile Rainmakers