Dallas Connection With a Smile

So I am in Dallas the early part of this week presenting the Ripple at The Contingent Workforce Summit. One of my favorite places to eat while in Dallas is S&D Oyster Company. It's a must have every single time I come to Dallas.

Well I came in yesterday and despite the cold and the rain, I ventured from my posh hotel digs at The Fairmont Hotel to head over for a late lunch. I am so glad that I did.

I always talk about people coming into our lives for a reason. Here I am in Dallas to share with some of the most recognizable names in the country why the power of connection is so important and life just had to remind me that even Mr. Ripple has to be reminded of this very important and critical lesson sometimes.

I love eating at the S&D Oyster Company for a variety of reasons: great food, occasional celebrity sightings, the wonderful ambiance and the outstanding service. It's an amazing spot nestled in a really interesting part of Dallas and of course me being a people watcher, I get an interesting show every time I come.

Well yesterday I had come into Dallas late and missed the majority of the lunch crowd. At first I was disappointed as the restaurant had only a handful of tables taken. I was promptly shown to a small table near the inside wall. My mouth watered with the anticipation of their specialty cocktail sauce that they make right at the table for the incredible oysters they serve. My stomach growled with anticipation as I downed my last oyster and waited for their specialty BBQ shrimp to arrive.

As I sat there and munched on my in-between appetizer of coleslaw, I noticed a gentlemen sitting next to me. He had ordered the exact same thing as I had and had a look of equal satisfaction on his face. As I surveyed his table our eyes met and I saluted him with my water glass and he did the same.

"Great food they have here don't you think?" he asked me.

"Absolutely. I so love this place," I remarked with noticeable enthusiasm.

He smiled. He was an older gentlemen maybe somewhere in his late seventies or early eighties.

He asked me if I was from Dallas and I explained that I was here for a conference. He asked with great interest about the conference and, I just loved the Ripple-esq quality of the question, "what I hoped to learn from it."

I explained that I hoped to learn as much as I could teach and went on to relay that I was one of the presenters. He was interested in my unique approach and peppered me with questions about the Ripple and how I had come up with such a concept at such a young age. I appreciate the compliment more than you could know.

And so the conversation went, two men from very different ages engaged in cross table conversation enjoying both the company, the atmosphere and the connection.

It seems my new friend, Charles comes to S&D Oyster Company fairly regularly. He is retired and comes intentionally late to miss the lunch crowd. I explained I love the lunch crowd and was disappointed that I missed it because of the people watching I get to do. He really seemed to like my approach to watching the crowd and said he may have to change his thinking and try enjoying people, not considering them an annoyance.

He tipped his pretend hat as he got up from the table and asked me for my card which I gave to him of course. "I am not much into computers but if I can remember how to turn mine on, I promise to check out your website."

We shook hands as if old friends and agreed that maybe our paths would again one day cross.

As I settled my bill the young lady at the cash register asked me the oddest question:

"How did you get Charlie to talk?" To which my expression of surprise by her question was followed by, "I mean Charlie doesn't talk to anyone."

"I just smiled at him and we both found connection in your great food," I said.

"You know that guy is probably only two or three steps below Mark Cuban and Ross Perot."

"Steps?" I asked.

"Yep," she said as she handed me my change, "He's one of the richest guys in all of Dallas. And in all of the time in working here, I have never seen him talk to a soul. Seems nice but he must have liked you to actually talk. I think we've all tried and nada...zilch."

"A smile," she asked "really?" She said it more in disbelief than anything. "Well isn't that something." She smiled and walked off to seat an older couple who came in the front door.

I laughed to myself as I looked at his vacated table....

"I hear you," I told my imaginary conscience. Even the Ripple man needs a reminder every now and again. Yes I know that you never know who will cross your path in life. And yes, it is so true.

So Charlie, if you ever do find my website and my BLOG, lunch is on me next time and maybe we could sit at the same table for a spell. I really enjoyed the company.

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper

Ripple Connection Question of the Week

SO WHAT ARE YOU GREAT AT?

Oh this is such a good question when you are trying to build or strengthen your connections! You learn so much about a person by asking them their own interpretation of what they are good at. You see their eyes light up and a smile sneak through as they recall their own personal memories of what they consider what they are in fact good at.

For me it is soccer. I love the sport and was a great player as a kid. My knees on the other hand weren't apparently a fan of the game and decided to hold up my professional career by stopping me dead in my tracks just as I was set to begin high school. A complete reconstruction of my ligaments in my knee left me depressed for years about missing out on playing the game I loved so much.

Until one day I decided to pick up the phone and call my local soccer league and volunteer to coach. Forget being a player, I found that I still had some skills left that my knees apparently didn't mind me showing off occasionally as a coach. And for an old guy, I could do still do some pretty awesome moves and impress the kids and make them want to do what they saw me doing. I was a good soccer player but found that I became a great coach.

Use this week's Ripple Connection Question to learn something you might not have known about a friend, colleague or complete stranger. Watch how people transform when they talk about what they are good at. If they are like me, the will transform before your eyes!

One last thing....we just discovered a case of books that had apparently been damaged in shipping. If you haven't yet purchased a copy of The Ripple Effect now's your chance. We have made these slightly damaged books available for a heck of a discount. Check out our DANG THOSE SHIPPERS SALE by CLICKING HERE.

Ripple On My Friends!!!


Steve Harper

Create The Life You Want By Rippling - Critical Question

My good Canadian friend Donna Karlin, internationally acclaimed Shadow Coach, challenges me with a question each and every time I talk with her. I think that question is a perfect way to finish up this series.

What Would Your Life Look Life If....?

When you look back through the lessons on Creating the Life You Want By Rippling, ask yourself what would you life look like if you took the time to implement and engage each of the outlined lessons for your life?

Donna's question always helps me overcome whatever fear, anxiety or trepidation that I might be experiencing. It allows me to gain a better perspective of what is possible if each and every obstacle, self-doubt and perhaps negative barrier were removed.

What would my life look like if I wasn't worried about how people perceived and valued my message?

Would I have more confidence to make more phone calls to companies who need me? Of course.

Would I focus more attention on having organizations bring me in as their speaker? Certainly!

Would I be willing to eliminate anything that stood in my way from bringing the Ripple to the masses? No doubt.

The question gives me perspective and the hint of what is truly possible. A glimmer of hope and a true understanding of what I can have if I am just willing to put in the time, the effort and dedicate my heart.

I would be remiss if I didn't quickly thank you Donna for always challenging me and for making me examine that which is possible! It is my sincere desire that this question helps many of my readers to achieve more with their own lives.

So as I conclude this series I ask you to go back and look at each of the outlined lessons and ask yourself what would your life would look like if.....

Answer the questions and take that step towards living the life you really want and deserve.

Next week I am doing a couple of book signings and speaking as part of a panel discussion at the SXSW Conference with Carlon Haas and Jen Blackert. I am certain that the conference and the variety of interesting and talented people I will meet will leave me with much to report!

If you are in Austin and able to attend....click here to learn more about our session.

To check out the Press Release click here.

Good luck and good Rippling!

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper