A friend asked me to help train the staff of a telemarketing company.While traning the telemarketing staff in sales,I noticed agitation among them.They were learning a new sales technology taht combines trust,integrity and collaboration in supporting a client's buying decisions.They worked hard and were excited about learning,but it was obvious they were not doing their utmost.By the end of the first day,I knew I couldn't continue without a full understanding of what was going on with the team.  

    "Is there a problem with you learning this technology?"I asked.They sat silent.I waited for an answer.Finally,someone spoke.

    "It would be great if we could really use this technology.I mean,I can see where it would really work,and I wouldn't have to feel like I'm being so rude to the people I'm calling.But I don't really think the company will let us use it.They don't care about people.They treat us like subhumans, use rude selling tactics for clients and only care about the profit.If they found out we were using this type of approach,they'd put a stop to it."  

     I told the group I'd think about the problem and promised to assist them in finding a way to integrate the new skills?They seemed to be happy to let me have a try,but unconvinced that I could make a difference.  

     Following the program,I went to the telephone bank where the sales people worked and watched while the company's vice-president came over to speak with one of the salespeople.He rudely interrupted her in the middle of a conversation.He then walked over to another person who was on a sales call and directly asked him why he had a personal photo on his desk,since none were allowed.At the desk where I was siting was a memo from the same man,telling people they had to wear suits the following day and keep their suit jackets on between 11:00AM and noon because perspective clients would be coming through the office.  

      I waited until the vice-president went back to his office and knocked on his door.Since I teach collaboration,I decided to assume we were in a win-win situation.He smiled and invited me to speak."I've got a problem that I'm hoping you can solve.I've been hired to teach this new sales technology that really supports trust and collaboration.However,the participants are afraid to bring it back to their work."  

     He was a big man and an ex-Marine.He sat way back in his chair and rocked,smiling at me with a well-fed stomach.He replied,"If it makes money,why should they be afraid?"  

    I took a good look at the man.He seemed gentle,although his actions didn't indicate that."Do you mind if I ask you a really personal question?"I asked.His smile broadened and he nodded as he rocked.I felt his acceptance of me.  

    "How do you function at work each day when you leave your heart at home?"  

     The man continued to rock gently,never changing his expression.I watched while his eyes narrowed.He responded,"What else do you know about me?"  

     "It's confusing for me,"I vebtured,"You seemed to be a gentle person,yet your actions don't seem to take people into account.You're putting tasks before relationship,but I think you konw the difference."  

     He looked at his watch and asked,"Are you free for dinner?Come on,it's on me."

     Our dinner lasted three hours.He recounted his Vietman experiences as an officer who had to do bad things to good people.He cried,and Icried.His shame had kept his silent,and he had never discussed the experiences with anyone before.He spent his life believing that his goodness could hurt people,so he decided years before not to let his heart get in the way of his job.It was a pain he carried daily.His sharing gave me the permission to talk about one of my own pains in my life that I rarely shared.Together we sat with cold food,warm beers and tears.      

    The next morning he called me into his office."Could you sit with me while I do something?"he asked.Then he called in the salesgirl and apologized for being disrespectful to her in front of others.She was shocked and grateful.He then turned to me and asked,"Is there anything else that you think I should do?"  

    I thought for a moment and reolied,"You may consider apologizing to the entire team."  

    Without hesitation,he picked up the phone and asked his secretary to call in the team for a quick meeting.There he apologized to the team for being disrespectful to them,and offered to make whatever changes they needed,so that they would want to come in to work each day.He also wanted to learn my technology and offer it to his entire sales staff.  

    That was the first meeting I attened in this company.People who looking for new jobs stopped looking.People began to trust that being at work wouldn't be harmful and might even be fun.The team supported the new collaborative sales approach.The vice-president began to use his new skills with other teams.And I got a new frind.