The year was 2000 and it was
a bitterly cold November evening in Massachusetts. I was visiting my friend Sheldon and happy to
be heading to the warmth of a pre-holiday party in the heart of downtown Boston.
As we entered the apartment,
I could sense something was amiss although I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Everything seemed just right. The style
of the place was elegant, the crowd was diverse and interesting, the music was
lively and the food was great.
We did the usual “meet and
greet” and then came a subtle yet powerful moment.
Engaged in small talk with
the host, Sheldon whispered to him, “You
have to turn down the lights”. His
delivery was firm yet caring. Not much
more was said and with Sheldon’s well-known social history, the host promptly acquiesced.
Now that my eyes were more
open, it was unusually bright in the apartment and the moment could have easily
been mistaken for a daytime party!
Once the lights came down,
the mood and atmosphere immediately went up a level; an incredible
transformation – the final piece of the
party puzzle. Guests were more comfortable
with the dimly lit room and the vibe became magnificent. What a difference. It
was a lesson I’ll never forget.
I’ve tried (and usually
succeeded) to pay attention to detail when hosting or putting together events
although this moment was profound. It became crystal clear how important it is
to have all the party elements in sync not just 90%.
The lesson:
Whether it is a meeting, party or any type of event,
make sure to do all the things (little and big) necessary to ensure the moment
is the best it can be for the guests. Attention to detail is critical.
Elements like temperature, lights, food, space, music
and diversity (just to name a few) are crucial to get right.
The aforementioned party wouldn’t
have been the same without Sheldon’s deft touch.
It was a wonderful evening.
Happy Gswede Sunday!
No comments:
Post a Comment