This day in 1979, Bob Geldoff released the song “I don’t like Mondays”. A modern classic which has stood the test of time (we all love that piano intro don’t we! Younger readers may wish to ask parents to explain at this point).

How do I know this? Well, 25 years and one day later, I went to see BG perform at The Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, Fife.

Nothing extraordinary about that (other than it was a great concert, lots of old Boomtown Rats numbers, and some of his more recent stuff).

But what really struck me about the evening was this: here is a modern icon, some say living legend, with all his achievements, having been used to playing in front of audiences numbering in the tens of thousands, on a Sunday evening in January in Scotland on stage before an audience of around 500 (not just any Sunday evening either… Burns Night).

Was he any less passionate and professional than on the stage at Wembley for Live Aid? You know the answer. His interaction with the whole hall was vibrant and intimate and one came away with a sense of having truly been in his company for the evening. He was really there.

The point?

Whether dealing with our biggest clients, with our smallest clients, with our chief allies, with our closest friends, or with passing acquaintances, are we always really THERE? You know, genuinely PRESENT, with full attention.

And do we have the courage and personal grounding to say what we mean, with absolute passion, belief and honesty? And is the level of professionalism, personal involvement and energy the same?