Take Me To Your Leader

Leah and I had a good conversation yesterday. She seems supportive and enthusiastic, and she is taking the idea of the action research to Earl, the Cultural Exchange's executive sponsor.

She made some very minor changes to the proposal I sent to her; I think that demonstrates that she is sincere about and committed to moving forward.

It may take as long as a week to get Earl's decision. We have an appointment next Friday at 4 to talk again, although I've asked her to let me know before that if the news is not encouraging.

In writing my paper for Eric, I noted that I had approached the wrong people in many of my scouting activities. I tend to approach people I know or who are referred to me because it is the most comfortable thing to do. In this case, too, I think I made the same error. I guess I should be approaching the decision-maker in these organizations if I want to create excitement and interest and move quickly.

I started scouting for this project before I wrote that for Eric, so I can probably be forgiven for having made the same mistake. However, I don't know that I will be able to change my approach, even given what I feel I have learned. It's much more difficult to identify and approach the decision-maker in these situations. These outlyers are gatekeepers, anyway, and are supposed to be playing this role.

I'm torn about this learning point. Is it accurate? Any thoughts from my family?