I was the co-ordinator for a week-long commercial strategy training program. It was the biggest event of the year and the Canadian leadership team was keen to make it a fun and inspiring.
We decided to create a fun character who for me to play as I emceed the program. The Mayor of Nordia was borne, who ruled the fictitious country described in the case study. People enjoyed the role and we kept adding to the character after every session.
On the final night of the program the mayor, dressed in black tuxedo and red sash, handed out awards to participants. The crescendo of the ceremony was the mayor jumping in the air and doing a high-kick similar to those done by rock star David Lee Roth. The stunt was a hit for the first session so I kept doing it.
At the last session I got so carried away by the crowd that I did a second kick, even higher than the first. I heard a pop from the back of my thigh and felt a bolt of pain course down my leg. I managed to remain standing and waved good-bye to people leaving the room. When everyone was gone I hobbled back to my hotel room, no longer the Mayor of Nordia.
