The other night at a business event I met a fellow networking leader who I had been looking forward to speaking with. In the first few minutes of conversation she asked me what I thought of  “Person X”.

“You don’t want to ask me that.” I said, knowing she could be associated with her.

“Yes, I do.” she said.

“No you don’t.” I said to this stranger I liked immediately.

I was hoping this would send a strong enough signal but I could see my opinion was important to her.

A friend of mine might have said, “Not a fan.” And this would have been the gracious answer.

What was going through my mind was I don’t know the impact of my answer.  And in this particular case I have a strong opinion.

These truths or silences reflect on their source but if I don’t share my real opinion then I am associated by context and this is an unacceptable acquiescence. By not making a decision, I’m making a decision.  I would have so much rather said, “Pass the Shrimp!”

But I lowered my voice and said, “She’d eat her mother.”

And in an audible exhale, my new associate asked when we could get together next.  We did and it was wonderful. A new bridge was built.

Mental note:  I’m giving myself an F on execution.