You know I stand on high principles when I accept a networking invitation. At least I hope you do.

I am serious about whom I surround myself.

I was approached and they mentioned the name of a respected fellow networker. Trusting, I set up the zoom invite to their email address.

I always confirm the day before. They responded. All set.

I prepare by reading the LinkedIn profile and formulating questions and possible referrals. I follow them on LinkedIn too.

I arrive early to the zoom room. After all, I invited them.

I normally give more than I receive when–no make that IF–we meet. You know where this is going, right? I have blogged about this before.

We did not, at the appointed time. I busied myself for 15 minutes while I waited for what the pit of my stomach told me they were another ghoster.

Then I emailed them this:

I waited 15 minutes for you and you did not attend or even email to say you were delayed. This is cancelled. Not cool.

and realized I had just wasted my time, effort and brain cells.

Then they popped up.

A calendar error. Not a time zone error to blame on tech, just a human one.

Have I ever made an error on my calendar? Sure. But I sent them a calendar invite and they confirmed it yesterday. Then it came. Message: we will zoom just as soon as they gobble down a lunch, in 5 minutes.

They apologized profusely, sincerely.

I accepted. And I genuinely enjoyed our chat.

Seems they need some advice, perhaps some coaching. We shall see.

They bought my book. They mentioned me in a post yesterday. Not an ego thing, they were just being real. We connected on LinkedIn too. Someday we will laugh about this together.

So folks, in the spirit of all opportunities accepted, human frailty and all other possible situations can also be considered respectfully.

Kinda gives me a new outlook on what could have been an energy-eating unpleasant experience. 

Keep looking for the upside, dear reader.