At the same time, I was undergoing a second attempt to reconstruct my mouth shattered by a bullet on May 1, 2000. This 3D animation shows the damage.
One morning I am walking along a path at the Police Academy towards my boss, Inspector Dave Stevenson. Stopping. I share the challenge now completed. I then say, “Dave, I know these last few years I have not been firing on all 8 cylinders, I’d just like to thank you for your support.”
Dave stops me in my tracks, “Greeny, you may not realise it, but I never told you anything to do, I only made suggestions, and you acted on those suggestions, so I invested more and more time in you.”
Since being shot on duty I have had several kind people make helpful suggestions in my life. Each led me to water, offering me the opportunity to ‘drink’. In saying “Yes!” I have benefited. I would like to thank and highlight the following people for their wellsprings of suggestions:
- Sgt Paul Trinder asks me to speak for the first time about the shooting to his recruits so they may learn from my experience. I say “Yes”.
- Dave Stevenson asks if he can attend the recruit talk as he feels it will help make him be a better manager for me. I say “Yes”.
- Joel Palmer, who after seeing my attempt with PowerPoint to explain my lessons from the shooting to the recruits, invites me to a social function. I say “Yes”.
- At the social function, Joel purposely introduces me to Michael Alafaci, who specialises in coaching executives in public speaking. Michael asks me to sit down over coffee and explain what I was sharing with the recruits. I say “Yes”.
- Michael volunteers his time offering to coach me in speaking at no charge (he realises on a copper’s wage, I cannot afford his fees). I say “Yes”.
- Michael suggests I join Professional Speakers Australia (PSA) to continue my development. I say “Yes”.
- I learn of PSA’s Kerrie Nairn Scholarship to develop emerging speakers. Michael suggests I should go for this opportunity. I say “Yes”.
- I am honoured to be awarded the scholarship and along with a variety of courses, I am offered a mentor, Kevin Ryan. I say “Yes”.
- Kevin suggests some radical changes to my speaking. I say “Yes”. The scholarship goes for 12 months. Through Kevin’s amazing generosity, kindness, and friendship, he continues to advise and coach me to this day.
These connected series of suggestions, the wisdom, and generosity of each person mentioned here, helped facilitate my transition from my 30–year policing career to now being a full–time professional speaker.
The old saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink”, is one I am constantly reminded of from my journey in life. I now draw on this adage to offer support to those who may benefit from a kind word or suggestion.
WHEN YOU LEAD A HORSE TO WATER, AND WHEN IT DRINKS, MORE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES, POSSIBILITIES, AND SUCCESSES OPEN THEIR DOORS
***
My 91–year–old–father Alan attends all my speaking engagements in Australia.
On May 16, 2023, I spoke at the itSMF conference in Adelaide.
The professional photographer engaged for this event, Jordan Graetz emailed the following, “It was an honour to listen to your presentation last week and it was my pleasure providing the (video) testimonial. I am a big believer in paying it forward and love to see people follow their passions (even if it’s one of the hardest things they ever do). I try to support good people whenever I can, and you fit the bill mate.“
Jordan freely provided all the photographs and captured a very special moment on film. This is the moment in my keynote when my father, Alan, stands and displays the Kerrie Nairn Scholarship plaque.
Audiences see and feel how my mum and dad, lived, experienced, and suffered every twist in my post–shooting journey. Thanks to people making suggestions, and me saying “Yes”, my father is now able to witness, hear and feel the joy of the goodness coming from sharing the journey we have been on with audiences from all walks of life.
I love and will forever cherish this photo. Thank you Jordan.
As you can see Jordan is an expert at his craft and you can connect, follow and engage with him here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
I hope my words shared in this post encourage you to take up the challenge when someone suggests a wise course of action – I hope you say “Yes” and see where this leads. Drink the water!!!
For inspiring keynotes and workshops, and to learn more about leading a horse to water and drinking from the wellspring, do contact me daryl@twiceshot.com.
Daryl Elliott Green | Award Winning Speaker
twiceshot.com
#inspiring #motivation #resilience #keynote #speaker
