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You: You’re not a boss. You’re a leader. I’ll make sure that’s understood wherever I go.

Steve: I’m in shock, but I’ll get over it.

You: Sounds like we already have!

There’s something subtle we did here that turned the outcome around. You gave Steve several hooks. Transitioning, training, the letter, the suggested comments. A way to do what you wanted.

I do that in court, and it wins cases consistently. If you don’t give the judge a reason to rule in your favor, don’t expect her to do it.

Whenever you’re in a negotiation—whether it’s personal or professional—do that.

I don’t know about your boss, but we were stone sober in this chapter.

The reason is because I appreciate you beyond adjectives. Just look at the magnificent job you’ve done here. Look at what your dedication to being the best has done.

Look at yourself. Why, you’re 10 feet tall!

Congratulations. Nothin’ can stop you now.

Do 31: Vacationing Free While They Interview Thee

Since I conduct seminars, I work with meeting planners constantly.

If it’s not fun and free, we don’t do it. That’s not a goal, it’s a rule.

What if you could instantly arrange nonstop interviewing in whatever field you wanted while on a fully paid vacation at a world-class resort? Would life be a box of chocolates? The two-pound box? With many almond clusters?

That’s what you get when you volunteer to help at the trade show of your choice.

How do you arrange it? Before lunch? (Yes, dessert first.)

Behold, genie (Do 1).

Pick a Resort Area

Pick any one your interviewing heart desires. Vegas is a great venue for trade shows (aka conventions and conferences).

Then google something like las vegas convention visitors bureau. (You can’t make a mistake, since any variation of this will get you the list of hits.)

There’s always a listing of the carnivals comin’ to town. Sometimes you click a link, sometimes you write down the name of the group, sometimes you call the phone number given. Always look for dates, host hotels, and contacts.

This is a simple process since advertising on the Web is the major way resort areas attract visitors.

Next, you . . .

Pick a Trade Association

Any one you like. If you’re a structural engineer, look for a building contractor or real estate developer confab. Or a coin convention if your hobby is collecting them. Whatever. The cybersky’s the limit.

Then google the trade association or other sponsor. Get the phone number and call. You can e-mail too, but it’s a little impersonal and takes longer to get a reply.

Ask to speak to whoever is running the show. Tell that person you want to volunteer to help with whatever they need done in exchange for an economy round-trip airline ticket, a small hotel room, and expense reimbursement of incidental ground transportation and fast-food meals. Talk about your passion to serve, your love of the business, and your expertise. Sell well. Their job security is tied to convention revenues.

Even the largest associations work on razor-thin budgets, and these events are usually the way they earn their keep for the entire year.

Often, associations outsource the event to convention planners. These professionals are high-spirited wheeler-dealers who negotiate comps and group rates from hotels and resorts.

Offer to record seminars, set up booths, make coffee, arrange cookies, change diapers—anything.

They’re usually small businesses, so they can always use an extra. Someone happy and helpful? In exchange for a bulk-rate round-trip and a comped room? What’s to lose? Print her a badge and send her a schedule. Does she have any friends? We’re getting a percentage of the take. If it’s free, it’s me!

That ticket is your ticket to Nirvana. It’s an endless Do 1 genie routine, complete with business cards.

It’s hard to get turned down. But if you do, just ask for the vendor list and program, then . . .

Pick a Vendor

Same story, different sale. Just google the product or service for a minute first so you become an expert and all.