No One Sits Alone

Growing up I went to seven different schools between kindergarten and Grade 12.

My dad was in the military. Every couple of years, we moved.

I felt like was in The Witness Protection Program.

Just when I started to build new friendships, I would come home and hear we were relocating again.

Every September, the same thing happened at a new school.

On the first day back, everyone reconnected with friends they already knew. Completely normal.

But being the one person nobody recognized.

Nobody greeted.

Nobody included.

That sticks with you.

When we had kids, I made a decision.

We were not going to move them around.

But I also didn’t want them to miss the lesson.

So every September, I gave them one assignment:

Find the new kid.

Introduce yourself.

Come home and tell me their name and one interesting thing about them.

Recently at one of our conferences, I shared this story.

And I reminded everyone of something we believe at our Brokerage:

“No one sits alone.”

At a broker breakfast, I noticed someone arrive late and end up at a table by themselves.

Our table was already full.

We made room anyway.

I watched that happen again and again throughout the event.

Brokers pulling up chairs.

Inviting people into conversations.

Welcoming new faces.

The person you do not know might become a close friend.

Or they might share one idea that changes the trajectory of your business.

Next time you are at an event, scan the room.

If someone is sitting alone, fix it.

You never know who you are about to meet.