Your struggle is your strength — Ted Leonhardt

“You must separate yourself from your work.”

I listened. Took in the thought. But didn’t connect completely with his meaning.

There I was, sitting in a seminar about negotiation with a bunch of business types.

It was midway through the morning session. A nice guy teaching the class. I liked him; he had a warm personal style. Looking around, I could see he was connecting with the group, most of whom were MBAs.

I was still considering the concept of separation from my work when somebody asked, “You mean we can’t negotiate with someone we’re in love with?”

A couple of guys snickered. Yes, the class was mostly men. “Smart-asses,” I thought.

I glanced quickly at one of the women in the room, still thinking about the meaning of “separating myself from my work.”

The question

She looked annoyed, and she raised her hand. “My staff are a bunch of artist and writer types. I don’t think it’s possible for them to separate themselves from their work.”

I noticed that she was blushing a bit and wondered if she was one of the “artist/writer types” herself and just didn’t want to reveal weakness to this group. I didn’t blame her.