Last month, I was working with one of my favorite clients and true long time learning partners—at Merrill Lynch, specifically Al Martella, VP Learning Manager at Bank of America- Merrill Lynch. I always learn something new from Al during our trainings and frequent conversations.
In my program last month on Deepening Your Client Relationships, I asked this question to the group:
“If you could interview anyone for 24 hours, who would that person be?” At first, I think a lot of us might think of all the ‘famous’ people in history or current, or one of our hero idols—yet when we ponder that thought, it can become more personal to us.
Al responded by saying:
” In the past, if asked that question, I would have responded with someone from show business, or government or religion. But the thoughtful way that Andrea asked that question led me to think about my father, who passed away when I was eight years old. What I wouldn’t give to spend 24 hours with him getting to know him better! When I later spoke with Andrea about my choice, she shared her choice were her beloved parents, Paul and Molly!
What an incredible impact a question can have if it is asked thoughtfully and sincerely! Thank you, Andrea, for asking!”
I also asked another friend and newer colleague at Merrill Lynch how he would answer this question from the workshop:
Here is what Rasheed Haneef, VP Learning Consultant II-Global Wealth Management, Bank of America said:
“Wow. There are so many people. But the one that comes to mind today is Albert Einstein. I am totally fascinated by how persistent and resilient he was. How could one fail that many times and still remain as enthusiastic as when they began. That would be business because I would want to tap into some of what made him great.
For just life itself it would be one of the Prophets. I would love to just talk about life and what it all means. How did we come to be and why are we the way we are.
I would love to discuss why people read the same verse from the same scripture and see it so differently. How was it meant to be interpreted?
Just this week, I was attending an event at the Luxury Marketing Council and the speaker was Larry Pimentel, CEO of Azamara Club Cruises and he said during his workshop—“If I could speak to anyone today, it would be to have 24 more hours with my parents’.
This weekend as you start the July 4th holiday– reflect back on who you would most like the opportunity to talk with and why- and if you like, share it with me and I will post it.
Have a great holiday!
Andrea – a lovely post. If I had 24 hours to speak to anyone it would be with my beloved Charles — wonderful husband and true friend for 33 years. This is a lesson that we need to speak to our friends and family more often because once they are gone you cannot go back and tell them that you love them and how happy you are to have them in your lives. So tell them now!