When A Teaching Moment Became A Learning One

I talk a lot about how I build my publishing company to help authors create their stories and share them with the world. I want them to love their hard work and be confident. Well, I had a moment at an event I held that I should have taught, but in it I learn that I was inexperienced with helping. I missed an opportunity to encourage, and groom an author. This has taught me a valuable lesson in humility and giving grace.

It was late 2020 during the pandemic. I was sitting in the house trying to figure out how to continue to encourage authors to keep writing and share their work. Out of nowhere something dropped in my spirit to host a Virtual Book Festival for authors to talk about their books so that we could give people something to watch and hopefully go purchase a book and read.

It was supposed to be a one day thing, but it picked up so quickly and it became a two day event. I couldn’t believe it. I registered authors, made posts for them, and prepared questions to ask. I was excited. I never hosted anything live and let alone talk to authors about their books. The days came and I hosted the event and everyone did great. I was amazed at the talent and the books. Most I ordered myself. There were so many authors who supported each other. It was beautiful.

But, I interviewed one author who I interviewed that was terrified and didn’t know what to say, and she responded the way a person who never talked and been interviewed. All her friends and family supported her and watched her live that day. She was very spirited and honest in her answers and her responses, brave in every way. She was bubbly and was very direct about not knowing how to answer questions and didn’t want me to asks questions.

At the time, I couldn’t see that she was me once upon a time. After hosting this event, I did a live with another author and friend. It was about how to conduct yourself in a interview setting. I laughed and mocked her responses. But it should have been a moment to teach. I should’ve coached the way I would coach at this moment, but little did I know. She was going to teach me these things I know now, then.

The next year 2021 I hosted another event and I went to invite the author and her friends again. One by one they declined. Some didn’t respond. I didn’t understand why and what happened? Every single one declined and it was at that moment. I remembered the show that I did after the book festival. How could I be so stupid. So rude, and inconsiderate of the feelings of someone that I should have contacted after the book festival and talked to. I should have invested in. I betrayed as a coach. Lesson learned.

To be a coach your job is advise, help, share, encourage and be there for people. I failed miserably at this. But, I won’t make that mistake again. I am truly humbled by this experience and to that author I deeply apologize with all my heart. I see her going far, and she has taught me a lesson I will never forget.