What's in a Name

In magical lore the knowledge of someone's true name was meant to give you power over them. That's why, in the story of Rumplestiltskin, the knowledge of his true name allowed the girl to break the curse.

In older societies the choosing of a name for a member of the tribe was done by their undertaking a rite of passage or by the reading of signs and portents - their name was meant to be a connection with the world or the people around them - a representation of their true spirit.

In the modern world, as soon as we enter 'the system' we are assigned numbers or logos and quickly our name becomes a part of a list - another body. As a result, re-connecting with your name and sometimes the meaning that name had for your parents can take a bit of effort. Many of us are called after grandparents - carrying on the family tradition.

Names are powerful - the Christian story of Adam, the first man, naming all the things in Paradise shows Mankind's first effort of categorisation and control over the beings we share the planet with.

As consultants and speakers it becomes usual to create and become your business name - and lose sight of the essence of the business which is ourselves. Clients hire us - and not our business name.

Sometimes we use that business name as a means of creating credibility for ourselves or to appear something more than what we are. However, if we return to the core we come to realise that we are who we are - our name. It embodies us, our spirit and all the pain and passion that we have lived in our lives. We resonate with the energy of it.

It's been a lesson of personal acceptance this week to return to who I am and to use just this name in business. Seán Weafer. Or Seán Kilcommons-Weafer (a name which blends Normans and Celts, land and sea, Christian and Pre-Christian themes).

It's taken some soul searching, some reflection and some courage to committ my future to just my name. To realise that I have various aspects of myself and that to grow I need to remember who I am and not be afraid to share all of that with my clients and friends.

R-Evolution takes courage - sometimes that courage is needed to return, recognise and accept the core. Onwards.

Singing Sinatra

I would have a fairly eclectic taste for music- I' d pretty much listen to anything really- from classical themes to heavy metal rock. Love it all. In fact as a kid I used to play trombone in my school band and that, coupled with a musical and artistic dad and hiding out at the back of the garden shed to avoid my piano lessons (sorry Mr. Rafferty), probably helped me with creating such a wide taste.

However when it comes to just good old relaxing fun music to listen to while driving, I've gotten much more into the Rat Pack (Sinatra, Martin, Davis Jnr) in recent years. So, last Friday, I had the chance to fulfil a dream and that was sing to Sinatra in front of a live band at a live gig. 'Love and Marriage' the chosen piece - light and easy - and more importantly for the organisers who had reluctantly allowed me to sing after I'd helped raise a few bob for sponsoring the charity (blackmail or what?) - short. At least if I was bad I'd be off the stage quick.

Now I could talk to thousands and it would never bother me - but sing in front of strangers? That was quite another thing. 250 of them to be precise who had all paid to be there - plus my family. I was nervous all week but I was going to do this - yet it would have so much easier not to. Courage they say is not the absence of fear but the ability to act despite it.

The night came, (after I had been rehearsed repeatedly, then put in front of the musical director that night- if I was that bad there was no way I was going on...) and passed the 'audition'. When the time came it was unexpectedly upon me - I swore that if the MC gave me a big build up that when I got the mike I'd say that was my brother he'd been talking about - and then it was counting the beats in and begin.

When you commit to something you may as well go all the way and so I did - the whole shebang - moving around, hand gestures, the lot. It was over before I knew it to huge round of applause. I felt buzzed and especially so when I got back to the family table - my Dad said I was'ok' , my mom said I was ' very good' and my sisters said I was 'brilliant'. In my family, that's a hat-trick of compliments. Plus my wife didn't have time to disappear to the 'ladies' when I got up to sing.

Many of us have dreams - some large and some small - in order to be all that we can be - to actualise our potential - it's important to step up to the mike now and then and despite the fears, sing your song.

Maybe I'll bring out a Christmas album........

Busy Week

This week's a busy one for me.

I have just completed filming a piece for an new internet TV channel for sales and small business professionals and then this evening I am presenting in front of a 100 sales people at an event called The Closers Club at Dublin's Westbury Hotel.

There I'm discussing the '6 Secrets of Networking' and hoping to present the message about how networking is the professional business development tool of the 21st century. It reduces time wasted on cold calling, allows you to target qualified prospects and allows you to build rapport and trust with them in a relaxed surroundings - all of which is a great start to looking for a meeting at a later point when you can make any formal business pitch. Check out the practice website for more articles on networking in the sales section.

Tomorrow I am meeting the Private Secretary to the President of Ireland for lunch to discuss networking on a more global scale - the network of the Irish disapora - and I am also scheduled to be profiled for the Rebel project in the careers sections of The Times (of London).

Finally, I make my debut singing Sinatra at a charity event for cancer on Friday with a 25-piece big band at Ireland's largest sports stadium Croke Park.

Then to bed for the weekend......

PassionforthePlanet.com

I recently was interviewed in Wimbledon, London for a DAB (digital audio broadcast) radio station with a very niche orientation. Called Passion for the Planet it broadcasts on issues that effect human well-being and the planet as a whole. Its demographic is 30-40 year old ABC1's.

For those of us who are Rebels in Business Suits with an interest in ecology, our connection with the planet, our understanding of the "oneness" of things, the fragility of our earth and the part that our values play in the well-being of the planet - this is a radio station worth bookmarking. Check it out.