On Friday, Tom had an awesome opportunity to do the last interview with Marsha Herman-Betzen, the retiring executive director of ACUI, during her final keynote. It was a really epic opportunity and great time, and Tom and the audience learned something very interesting about Marsha.
She makes it a point to talk to strangers everywhere, all the time.
She said it drives her husband crazy – but it has led to some amazing stories, opportunities, and experiences.
Probably one of the most inspiring stories she shared was about the day she saw a group of nuns boarding their plane. Naturally, being Marsha, she started chatting with one of them. In this conversation, she found out that they didn’t have a ride to get where they needed to go after the plane landed. And so, she offered these nuns a ride.
Fast-forward to a month later – A postcard arrives in the mail from one of those nuns. Because Marsha drove them to the hospital they were going to, the nun got to see her sister before she died. Wow.
After this story, Tom challenged the ACUI audience to begin the #MarshaMission – challenge yourself to meet one new person each day.
Here is a great example of #MarshaMissions already happening!
Had two interesting #MarshaMission moments last night. Here's one that happened at the wine tasting. #ACUI15 pic.twitter.com/lglGpr9Ejn
— Tom Krieglstein (@tomkrieglstein) April 11, 2015
So could you meet 1 new person every day? It’s about making connections within our communities. After all, even on our own campuses and in our neighborhoods, we don’t know everyone yet.
In Dance Floor Theory language:
1. Everyone in a community benefits from more connections!
2. Saying hello isn’t so scary! It’s simple. Make a quick joke about something you both witnessed. Ask how their day is. Compliment them or ask if they need help with something.
3. Still feel scared? That’s ok! Just try and see what happens. 🙂
Now go and make a new friend today!
