I am, by nature, an optimistic person. People often say things to me like, "Jen, you like to live in rainbow and butterfly world." And I say, "Yes!"
But please don't mistake my kindness for weakness, because it isn't.
In today's world, one opens the news with one eye shut for fear we'll see something too horrible to take in all at once. We brace ourselves for the sour, the callous, or the tragic. It seems to be everywhere, in politics, in daily life, and in business.
The greatest human value, that of human connection and kindness, can be drowned out by all the cynicism, especially in business.
Thankfully, it's not always that way.
Today, I want to share a true story that may touch you. It’s a true story where kindness triumphed over cutthroat business.
Last December, I lost a brother. In January, I lost my father. In March, I lost a relationship of over 5 years. During March, I received a letter from a lawyer regarding my business name.
Five years ago no one understood the name Emotive Pull. Now, in a new paradigm of human connection, social change, passion and purpose, it’s more widely accepted and understood.
The lawyer's letter stated that another marketing company wanted my name. They applied for the word "emotive." Since their service was similar, the trademark office rejected them because Emotive Pull owned the trademark.
The other company's lawyer drew up an agreement they wanted me to sign that would box me into Arizona only, while they were free to operate in other states. It was clear they were going to be relentless in their pursuit of this issue. They claimed they had the right to use my name, even though I owned the trademark. To me, they were being cutthroat, mean, and unfair.
And at that time in my life, I just didn't want to deal with it. I avoided the issue, feeling like I couldn't take one more ounce of negativity.
Months later, another letter arrived. I knew in my heart that this wasn't going away. Somehow, I needed to find the strength to deal with it.
I did something most people wouldn't do.
I said a prayer along the lines of "God, please don't let me mess this all up or make it worse." Then, I picked up the phone and called the owner of company.
The owner was a woman, and she was nice. We had an authentic conversation. We connected. I felt comfortable enough to explain that the first letter had arrived as I was dealing with the most difficult period of my life. I told her of the loss of my brother and my father and of the end of my relationship.
On the other end of the phone, I could her her voice choked with emotion. She empathized with me. She told me how sorry she was that her lawyer's letter came at such a traumatic time in my life.
I appreciated those sentiments, but it's what she said next that transformed an ugly, difficult situation into a magical one.
She said, "You know, in my business, I place great value on creating relationships and connections with my customers, and I should have done the same with you." To her chagrin, she was surprised that she hadn't handled the situation with the same principles she employs with her customers.
Our conversation continued, and by the end, she suggested we collaborate on projects together. We resolved the issue by recognizing that while our businesses were similar, we had enough differences that we could both use the name and not be stepping on one anther's toes. It was a win-win for us both.
The lesson I took from this is that it's always worth it to pursue real, meaningful human connection. Far from being a weakness, being authentic and vulnerable is our greatest strength. Brene Brown is bringing this awareness to audiences all over the world. You can see her message of the power of vulnerability here.
When people see us as human it breaks the emotional walls down.
This is why we do
what we do at Emotive Pull.
It's good to live in a butterfly and rainbow kind of world.
~Jennifer Kahtz