Just when I feel I’ve seen it all, someone comes along to prove me wrong. I seem to find the strangest situations in larger cities like L.A., Dallas, Chicago, and New York City. My last visit to the Big Apple was certainly no exception. As I reflect on this very unusual incident, I still can’t understand or begin to explain it. However, I won’t soon forget it.

On my last evening in town, after a long week of facilitation, I decided to have dinner in a picturesque little restaurant near the East River not far from my hotel.

I was sitting alone in the rear of the restaurant enjoying my dinner when I noticed an enthusiastic young man, in his mid-30s, walking rapidly toward me with a big grin on his face. I knew he was coming to me as I was the only one in that area of the restaurant and I was sitting by the window overlooking the river.

As he arrived at my table, he reached out, grabbed my hand and starting pumping it as though I were a long lost friend he hadn’t seen in years. In heavily broken English, he gave me his name and told me how thrilled he was to meet me. He called me Sam as he explained that he never misses an episode of my show.

I quickly explained my name was not Sam and he might have mistaken me for someone else. He apologized and said that he was certain I was Sam Waterston, one of the stars of the long-running television series, Law & Order. He asked if he could have an autograph.

Trying to keep a straight face, I again gave him my name and explained that I was not Sam Waterston. Again in broken English, he said he understood, apologized for bothering me but still wanted my autograph because he thought I looked so much like Sam Waterston.

At this point, I was very embarrassed and couldn’t think of anything to say. He then handed me a pen and a folded newspaper as he explained he wanted the autograph for his wife who loved the show.

I said, “You understand I’m NOT Sam Waterston, right?” He indicated he was aware of that fact but still wanted my autograph as he continued to hold the newspaper in from of me. I really felt stupid at this point as other customers in the restaurant had turned to watch this encounter trying to figure out who I was. I quickly told him I didn’t feel comfortable signing someone else’s name.

He again grinned from ear to ear and said, “No, I want you to sign your own name!” Now I’m almost laughing out loud as I tried to visualize this man explaining this scenario to his wife when he got home. Why would she want the autograph of a total stranger who her husband thought looked like a television actor? He obviously wasn’t going to give an inch so I quickly signed my own name on his newspaper! The man again thanked me, pumped my hand again, and went on his way.

Several customers were still glancing my way. It took me another ten minutes to finish my meal, and I then made my way to the register to pay my bill. As I walked by a man and his wife at a nearby table, the man reached up and tapped my shoulder as he asked, “Are you somebody?” Maintaining a straight face and continuing my journey to the register, I said: “Isn’t everyone? Sam Waterston — Law and Order.”

As I continued walking, I could hear the husband tell his wife, “I thought so!”

People are funny.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Today is November 5th—the day after the World Series ended in New York City and the day before the beloved ticker-tape parade to celebrate the Yankees 27th world championship.

From the moment I hit the streets this morning until I returned to my hotel late this evening, I witnessed a New York City seldom ever seen by anyone … residents or tourists. However, this is the second time in my life that I’ve had the privilege to witness this rare occurrence!

To fully understand and appreciate today’s phenomenon, you need to know a few facts about this city:

• The demographics of NYC are evidence of a uniquely large and ethnically diverse metropolis.
• NYC is the largest city in the United States with a population uniquely defined by a long history of international immigration.
• New York City is home to more than 8 million people, accounting for about 40% of the population of New York State and a similar percentage of the New York metropolitan area, home to about 20 million.
• More than 170 languages are spoken in the city, and 36% of its population is foreign born.

In short, New York City is the greatest melting pot on the face of earth! Rather than describe to you what I saw today, allow me to tell you what I DIDN’T see today!

I saw absolutely no Chinese people. Not one. Nor did I see a single Albanian, Greek, or Romanian! There wasn’t a single Jewish person on the streets. No Japanese, no African American, no Polish or Italian. I saw no Puerto Ricans, Asians, or Irish. Not a single Russian, Greek, or German. I didn’t even see one single American!

No, today the city of New York is home to none of the above! Today, this colossal city is home to no one but Yankees! The city is filled with pride and allegiance to a baseball team! Even Met fans have taken the day off to salute their brother Yankees as they celebrate their 27th World Championship. Everyone in this city is in 27th Heaven!

However, it’s much more than a baseball team which has brought this massive population together as one! It’s the need for a mutual cause … a bond, if you will! Times are bad. Worse than many have ever seen before in their lives. Stress, despair, and loss of hope is rampant. People are searching for answers and hope. It just so happens that one of their local sports teams emerged at this time to offer a glimmer of hope in a very dark world. Today, and probably through the parade and the weekend to follow, people have forsaken all their hopelessness and feelings of loss to become an unofficial Yankee.

People are shaking the hands of strangers, hugging each other, dancing in the streets. There are no arguments, disagreements, or unsmiling faces.

I mentioned that I felt privileged to have witnessed this very unique situation in NYC twice in my life. The last time was shortly after the historic attack on the World Trade Center right here in the heart of the Financial District. I’ll spare you the grim details as most of us will never forget the pictures of shock, fear and devastation which occurred as a result of that 9-11 tragedy.

The emotions were obviously the opposite of what we see today. There was no joy, elation or celebration! But there was that unspoken, universal bond which brought this city together like never before in its history. Again, there were no nationalities that day, week, or month. At that time, EVERYONE was a NEW YORKER! In fact, that feeling was felt throughout the country and even the world. Everyone was a New Yorker for so many obvious reasons. And for those who witnessed this never-before-seen spectacle … it was not only undescribable but it was heartwarming to the point that defied description!

My question is this: WHY do we wait for a CAUSE? Why must there be a fantastic accomplishment or major disaster before we come together as human beings and treat others as we’d like to be treated, support one another, and care for those we live with day in and day out. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could experience those emotions every day in every way?

While that will never happen to the degree described above, WE could all put forth an effort to make things better than they are today! And if enough of us decided to do that, from coast to coast, this country would experience an obvious joy and healing that we so dearly need in these chaotic times. I’m willing to give it a shot … starting today! How about you?

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

I’m in New York City this week executing one of the busiest schedules I’ve experienced in quite some time. On top of that schedule, just being in the Big Apple is always an enormous challenge. It’s a different world altogether … much like visiting 15 different cities all wrapped up in one. Every visit is an educational experience in so many ways if you simply open your mind to it.

I had an experience tonight that would certainly fit into that unique category of “events that lead to deep thought.” I completed my last training session of the day at 9 p.m., closed the facility and took the elevator down to the street level to hail a cab back to my hotel. Hitting the street, I discovered a beautiful full moon reflecting across the Hudson River and a brisk autumn air to put the finishing touches on a gorgeous night! I decided against the usual cab ride and chose, instead, a nice leisurely stroll through the financial district and on to the historic seaport district where my hotel is situated.

As I casually strolled down Wall Street passing in front of the New York Stock Exchange, I was suddenly confronted with a shocking scene which actually stopped me in my tracks! Directly in my path was a police officer decked out in full swat team regalia including a helmet with plastic visor and a very threatening fully automatic firearm (machine gun to many people) complete with a large capacity magazine. To complete this military image, I couldn’t help but notice the bulky bulletproof vest, and camouflage attire including combat boots.

I couldn’t help but notice that the officer was holding the weapon in such a manner that it was obvious he could fire it in seconds. Suddenly I saw two more officers, similarly dressed and armed to my left, then a few more off to my right and within seconds identified a total of 12 which suddenly appeared as a small army. It seemed immediately obvious to me that there must have been an incident in the area which summoned this intimidating group of militia.

To add to this very unusual scenario was a small group of city service workers resurfacing a sidewalk under the brilliant glare of very bright overhead lights. I couldn’t help but pause and question one of the workers as to why so many heavily armed military personnel were in the area.

He quickly explained that nothing had happened. He said, “These guys are here every day and every night and have been since 9-11 to protect the Stock Exchange from a terrorist attack.” He said locals were used to this scene, and I was only seeing those out in the open. He said there were many, many more in the alleys and on top of the surrounding buildings.

I thanked him and started walking again when it suddenly dawned on me that I was pulling a small roller suitcase filled with the props I used in my training. It was now nearing 10 p.m., and I’m strolling through a heavily armed security area pulling what might very well appear to be a suitcase filled with explosives. I immediately felt the cold, hard stare of dozens of well-trained eyes analyzing my every step.

However, no one questioned me or made any move to approach me. I cautiously picked up my pace and quickly made my way toward my hotel in somewhat of a quick step. Ten minutes later, I could see the friendly twinkling lights of the Brooklyn Bridge reflecting off the water resembling a post card …. and I knew I was just a block from the safe haven of my hotel.

It was an amazing realization that I just moved from the beauty of one river area near the scene of the Twin Towers tragedy to that of an equally beautiful river area complete with the world renowned Brooklyn Bridge while passing through what appeared to be a modern day combat zone in the heart of one of the largest cities on the planet. Whew! Nuff said! Welcome to New York City!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.