From Powell to Cowell

The other night we were invited to dress up in Cocktail Attire and attend a dinner at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach.

The event was for the executives of my company and featured a special guest speaker - Colin Powell.

The evening was to start at 6pm with cocktails and hor dourves. Typically most people would arrive fashionably late for a corporate dinner. But when we walked through the door at 6:10pm we were one of the last to arrive. Everyone seemed a little more chatty than usual. And you had a sense that as they listened to you they were keeping one eye on the door, waiting for the guest of honor. Admittedly the excitement made it fun. We all felt important for a moment. As well we should have given what we paid General Powell to come.

We finally sat down and he spoke to us before dinner was served. Everyone in that room sat on the edge of their chairs as he candidly shared his perspectives on leadership and the current world situations. He spoke unscripted for 55 minutes. The most interesting and inspiring speech I have ever witnessed.

When he finished speaking dinner was served and conversations at the table began. There were 5 couples, including us, at our table. 10 well-educated and successful individuals.

We had just heard tales of intrigue, personal anecdotes about world leaders, and a compelling vision for the future of our country. But within minutes the conversation at our table turned to: American Idol.


Lo and behold everyone at the table was an avid watcher. Granted we all had kids, but we had all been sucked in. We rattled off names of our favorite contestants and opined on who America would chose and why. Everyone at the table eagerly jumped into the conversation to offer their two-cents.

By the end of the evening there was a shared bond at our table.

I have no idea what my colleagues think about the Iranian threat or the looming Presidential election. But I do know one thing - everyone loved David Archuleta.