I  did some boundary crossing yesterday, in person. I attended a networking event, a once a month luncheon with lots of suits–literally a sea of Baby Boomers in gray suits, who work in or service clients in Corporate America. The luncheon is hosted by a prominent athletic club, where club actually means wood paneled rooms and a hushed lobby.

It’s not my usual place to hang out. In my new role as a social entrepreneur with A Bigger Voice, I became friends with one of the organizers of this monthly luncheon. He is passionate about turning business people onto the SE world. So I go. And connect. And fit in as best a boundary crosser can. Most days, I can pass. I know the language, the customs, the values. The woman at the front desk tells me I can go up to the ballroom where the meeting takes place.

Yesterday was one of those days when I was feeling the mis-fit more than the fit. The other service providers either see me as competition (as a coach and consultant) or have no use for me (why would a banker need a coach?). The C-levels in the room (CEO, CIO, CFO, CMO) think of social entrepreneurs as Boulder’s answer to management for a granola company.

What’s a girl to do?

These people don’t read Seth Godin. They’ve barely heard of permission marketing. Forget understanding blogs. And yet, business is changing, even in their world.

So maybe there is a place for me after all. In bringing new media, new thinking, new models for working–to the suits.