Two years ago, I sat in a conference room with a woman I was interviewing for a Manager of Training position. A vast, highly polished oak table separated us as we conversed and I tried to lull the candidate into my web of start-up joy. She leaned across the table, allowing her weight to bear down a bit, as she balanced on her elbows. "I've just returned from Dubai where I managed corporate training for a rather large start-up; I understand the entrepreneurial mentality," she exposed in almost hushed tones. I leaned forward and said, "Do tell." She expanded only slightly and went on about the several training books and articles she had co-authored - my head was spinning as I thought, "Then why the heck are you applying for a $45,000 a year job?" My response bordered on incredulousness as I asked, "Really?" with a twinkle. She proceeded with these candidate words of death, "Yes, you should google me."

I sat back in my chair and forced a look of ease across my face and only half listened to the remainder of her responses. Why had I rebelled against her eager words to win me over? I was not only turned -off but mildly appalled. The forthrightness in her behavior should have made her a rock star, right? Maybe I should have googled her before I even invited her on-site, that seems to be proper protocol nowadays. No matter, the damage was done and the effect had been real.

Fast forward to another time when I was the interviewee. A phone interview is not the best way to make that first impression, however, sometimes there is no other choice. I was being interviewed for a Manager position with a national placement firm. The opportunity was tremendous and exposure would have been fantastic - just what I had been priming my career for. The conversation somehow turned to branding and I relayed how important I believe personal branding to be, how I value an online presence , and how imperative I believe it to be in business today and then, before I could stop myself, the candidate words of death rolled out of my impetuous mouth, "You should google me." Had the interviewer been sitting across a beautiful conference table from me, he would have seen my hands fly to cover my mouth as my head banged relentlessly on the table. How could I be so stupid? How did I let it happen? Unbelievable. I did have a follow-up interview with the CEO a few days later, but I knew my candidacy was in the dumpster.

What if I had nailed that interview? Where would I be now? Those words either saved me or kept me from the greatest job of my career. How we view the land mines we trespass upon will determine the effect they have. Throughout our work lives, we will encounter times when we should've, could've, would've. That is The Butterfly Effect. Every word you say, every step you take determines how your tomorrow will be. Let's explore it together and share stories of regret, good fortune, and valuable lessons.

The term The Butterfly Effect is based in chaos theory and is resultant of the idea that merely a slight change in the flap of a butterfly's wings may illicit minuscule changes that could, ultimately, alter the path of a tornado. A small change could have large effects.

by rayannethorn