The Motivational Speaker

Les Brown opened the MDRT Convention here in Denver, and he was great. He’s known as a motivational speaker, and he is that - but more. He has substance and message and art.

What can anyone learn from a motivational speaker? Lots. Although the best learning is by observation - and you can see Les Brown on video - here’s a few points, plus some nice quotes and turns…

• Energy – voice, movement, gestures and sweat. Do you sweat when you speak – work at it.
• Quotes – he had a million of them. (Well, it seemed like it – and they were good and relevant.)
• Authentic – although Les had rhythm, speed and cadence in voice, it seemed that he was also was conversational. He was speaking with us not at us. And his confidence was real.
• Stories – he told his stories, many stories, centering around the drama in his life. And all his stories were interspersed with his message.
• Practiced - Les Brown IS a performer after all, so although authentic he had some great memorized phrases and sayings. Even the 'non-performer' speaker should have some memorized things that they know work to make a point.

Some messages and quotes:

“I’ve been speaking for 20 years, but it should have been 34. Problem was the first 14 years I didn’t think I could do it.”

“Provide more service than you get paid for.”

“People only do business with people that they know, like and trust.”

“Work at your craft. The wood cutter’s wood production dropped 40% because he wouldn’t sharpen his ax.” (Credited to Zig.)

“…be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

“Don’t take no for an answer. Make ‘NO’ your vitamins. Every ‘no’ brings you a step closer to success.”

“Learn to communicate well. Once you open your mouth you let the world know who you are.”

“Be a storyteller. Give people special moments.”

“Live full, die empty.”

And in the Les Brown vernacular, “You’ve got to be ‘hongry’!”

Part of Les' impact also came from his vulnerability in sharing his dramatic recovery from prostate cancer. Because I have a friend who is just recovering from prostate cancer surgery it was particularly poignant, and made his funny line even more memorable:

"I'll be glad when they can check out your prostate by looking in your ears."