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A Tribute to Ben

16/12/2016

1 Comment

 
A Tribute to Ben

​Ben Marcus was a lawyer in Ottawa for nearly fifty-nine years, a force of nature. He was quite deaf, or at least pretended to be when it was to his advantage. Extremely crusty because he could afford to be, he was frighteningly capable. He was also a man of impeccable ethics.


My favourite memory of Ben was at a conference about two decades ago. There were perhaps three hundred of us in the room listening to a learned paper on some or other rule of evidence. It was probably important enough.

Unfortunately, it was also the last presentation of a long day-- the suicide slot. 
As might be expected, the audience began to turn its attention to the hospitality suite. The paper could be read later.

First one, then two, then ten slipped out. And then more. It was pretty clear that the room was clearing, and the speaker was clearly at a loss.

And then Ben rose to his feet.


Ben excused himself to the speaker then turned to the audience. “This young man,” he said, “has spent weeks preparing this paper for your benefit. It’s a good paper, and he is delivering it well. In leaving, you embarrass our profession. Please give him the honour of your attention.” And then Ben sat down as if nothing had happened.

The room fell silent. Then applause broke out, and we all stayed.


The paper was in fact a good paper, but it's Ben’s lesson that I have kept for a lifetime.
1 Comment
Laurie Pascoe link
23/12/2016 17:51:07

It is a good and important story.

Reply



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    Norman Bowley teaches the Alignment Doctrine and the Client Code-- secrets to building the professional practice you and your clients deserve.

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  • Home
    • Video >
      • The Alignment Doctrine
    • Communication >
      • Elements >
        • The Golden Rule
        • The Five Essential Qualities
        • The Five Essential Questions
        • The Five Step Cycle
        • The Ten Commandments
        • The Ten Sources of Authority
      • Modules >
        • Modules A-M >
          • Avoiding amateurism
          • Change: Understanding It, Facing It, Profiting From It
          • Communication for Long Term Relationship
          • Communications Horror Stories
          • Communications that blow up in your face
          • Communicating toward success
          • Earning the Right to Be Heard
          • Gerunds, Mesolects and Other Arcane Terms of Art
          • Having a Toad Day
          • Healthy Fear
          • Hippos and Raccoons-- Deadly Underestimation
          • How I Moved From Doing What I Liked to Doing What I Loved
          • How to Be on the Same Wavelength as Your Audience
          • How to Pick Up a Porcupine-- Dealing With Difficult People
          • Key of Trust
          • Manipulation
          • Mastering the Technologies
          • Mining the Subconscious
        • Modules N-Z >
          • Quick and Dirty-- the 80/20 Rule
          • Sabotaging Your Message
          • Scar Tissue
          • Secrets of the Druids
          • Some Specific Approaches to Communications
          • Specific audiences
          • Symbolism-- the Heart of the Communicative Process
          • Talking to Yourself and Why You Should Do It
          • The Difference Between Leadership and Management
          • The Eyes Eat First
          • The Eyes Have It
          • The Lizard Within-- What Your Reptilian Brain Makes You Do
          • The Media of Communication
          • The Respect Deficit
          • The Secret of Authenticity
          • Thinking About the Kinds of English
          • Websites, Blogs and Newsletters
          • When you don't have time to plan
          • When You'd Rather Shoot Yourself
          • Who's your audience? Targeted communication.
      • About us >
        • Karen Bowley
  • Norman Bowley
  • FREE
  • Services
    • Keynote Speaking
    • Training
    • Coaching
    • Troubleshooting
    • Consulting
    • Writing >
      • Ghost Writing
      • Transitional Ghost Writing
  • Testimonials
  • Blog