The experience of being an undercover volunteer??

Some months ago I was given the opportunity to go on a 10-day mystery experience. To be taken away from all the comforts I know, my family, business, credit cards and technology – to live on $20 a day and to volunteer in a number of charitable organisations in an unknown destination.

I did not necessarily jump at the chance – in fact, I discussed it at length with my husband, family, colleagues and friends. My parents and some other family members did not think it was a good idea; my children said that it was too long and they would miss me.

It was my friends and colleagues who said “If you said you are a leader in the business community – then show us what you are really made of”. One said “This is your opportunity to impact a million Australians and show them how simple it could be to volunteer – to make a difference to other peoples lives – to show Australia how much our community relies on volunteers.”

I had my concerns – I was worried that if in a confronting situation (with camera’s rolling) that perhaps I would not be up to the challenge. I know myself to be a generous and committed person, but what if under the stress of being out of the safety of my home, if I was not the person that I thought I was? What if I was snappy, or impatient or what if I just could not cope with the hardship that I was confronted with – all on national television?

After much deliberation I accepted the challenge, given RedBalloon is all about experiences, then this would be an experience of a lifetime. I accepted the challenge to go on a “mystery experience”.

The name of the program did not sit well with me – Australia is a very egalitarian society – I don’t think of myself as a millionaire, more someone who has worked hard for a long time and has created a successful business. (I suppose as I was recently described as a self-made millionaire). We are by no means flush with cash; in fact in a fast growth business every penny counts as we pursue our mission to change gifting in Australia forever. So somehow it seems very un-Australian to be called a millionaire.

I kept a diary of the experience… they were often very long nights in my motel room. So I kept a journal of who I was meeting and what I did – how I found the charities to work with. This I have published in small chapters at NaomiSimson.com I thought it would be interesting to share more of the actual experience rather than just the resulting story, which will appear on Channel Nine.

There were some fundamental life lessons I learnt – it was truly the experience of a lifetime that can never be replicated. It has changed my outlook on many things. I have made many new friends – who I remain very much in touch with on a very regular basis. It has impacted what we do at RedBalloon about CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), an acronym which seems to lack any sense of emotion or empathy.

I now donate all my speaking fees to the “We Care” program, which enables more people to have a volunteering experience. Because in getting to meet different people who have different life circumstances – you realise how much the same we really are.

As a business leader, I choose to share the experience because in the same way I share what I learn about business, I think it is up to us to lead by example, be generous with all those that we meet. My intention is that other business leaders and people see that it is really not that hard to give a lending hand to others.

Secret Millionaire screens on Channel Nine at 9.30pm Thursdays. Naomi Simson will feature in episode three on 29th Octocber 2009. View the promo here.

To read more Naomi Simson blogs, click here.

Naomi Simson is the 2008 National Telstra Women’s Business Award winner for Innovation. Naomi was also a finalist for the Australian HR Awards and a finalist for the BRW Most Admired Business Owner Award in 2008. Also in 2008 RedBalloon achieved a 97% Hewitt employee engagement score. One of Australia’s outstanding female entrepreneurs, Naomi regularly entertains as a professional speaker inspiring middle to high-level leaders on employer branding, engagement and reward and recognition. Naomi writes a blog and has written a book sharing the lessons from her first five years.