Originally it was not my plan to post this...

This will be my fifth time riding in the Ride To Conquer Cancer and this year my plan was to self-fund the required donations — then enjoy the two day ride for a good cause without really bothering anyone. That was until I happened to read a sign and remembered something very important about having a voice.

As a result, I sent out my traditional "please donate to my cause" email (and I suppose decided to write this post).

Below is the email I sent —

"This year will be my fifth year riding in the Ride to Conquer Cancer for the Princess Margaret Hospital and I was going to self-fund my efforts this year... that was until I saw something recently and felt it was important to share.

It was a sign that simply said,

                "Cancer picks a fight with someone every three minutes”

Cancer is a funny thing — it does not care about gender, nationality, race, religion, occupation, social status, age, wealth, or anything else that we believe makes us special; for cancer, it’ll pick a fight with anyone. I thought it was important to share this and remind everyone that we are all in this fight together.

Like my last four rides, I will ride my heart out for those who can’t and raise money to defeat cancer in our lifetime. Please consider donating by “clicking” on this link

Please forward this email and remind everyone we are all in this together.

I promise to ride my heart out,"

It really was the statistic that cancer strikes every three minutes that was a shocking reminder this is not something to keep to myself — it needed to be shared. This also was a simple reminder that nothing ever changes when you keep it to yourself, and that it's important to add your voice to the conversation. I know you are bombarded with messages and requests constantly, and if you are able to donate to my ride it's greatly appreciated, and if not, that's ok too.

What is important to remember is a voice is always needed to make things happen, and it is important to be part of the conversation — if only to really listen and say, "Not today".

Without that voice, and that conversation, nothing will ever change... and as you know, cancer picks a fight with someone every three minutes.

iamgpe

Speak up... nothing gets solved unless you do.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

I was at a conference today and had the opportunity to listen to a speaker named Talli Osborne. Without getting into her story, I think it is safe to say she was inspirational, motivational and will look back on a very rich life when she is eighty-five.  Click here to go to her website. She told many stories, but I was struck with the story when she consciously decided to speak up.

She spoke of a point in her life where she decided to tell people what she thought when asked... instead of shying away; ultimately she got into the habit of telling people what she thought, even when they didn't ask. She started to influence and change things. I remember hearing the same sentiments from a General Manager I knew long ago, who simply said, "if you are not participating in the conversations to manage the business, what value do you offer". He was a little bit more "harsh" than Talli.

The point of speaking up, speaking your mind, and adding to the conversation is extremely important. Not only for yourself, but for whatever issue, problem, idea or plan you are involved with.

Here's what I have learned so far on this topic - 

• At any given time, you will be the smartest person in the room... so share.
• If you are shy, please get over it. It serves no one, including your self.
• If a leader asks, "are there any questions?"... they mean it, so ask.
• More often than not, if it falls apart it's because the person who had the answer didn't speak up.
• Engagement is the easiest way to tell everyone you care.
• Do not assume people "know what you know"...
• If you want to engage a leader, tell them what you think. They may disagree, but they will respect you. And listen the next time.
• When you ask a question, you can bet 75 % of the room wanted to ask.
• Although it can be said a committee created the camel*, more often than not, you end up with a better solution when there are more "voices" involved. 
• If you don't say it in open forum, you should not be saying it behind closed doors.
• Speaking to "power" can be intimidating, but it can make things happen.
• No one knows what you are thinking unless you "say".

Is this easy? It should be, but sometimes it's not. You still have to speak up though... There is no one stopping you...

gpe

* It is said that the camel was a horse designed by committee.