AchieveMax® Blog

Take a quick glance at the organizations listed below. What do they have in common? You might struggle to arrive at an answer to that question as it’s obviously not a product, service, or even an industry they share.

However, each is very successful in what they do.

• Zappos.com
• Google
• Nordstrom
• Dreamworks Animation
• Southwest Airlines
• W.L. Gore & Associates
• Whole Food Markets
• Starbucks Coffee
• The Container Store
• Herman Miller
• Stew Leonards

Let’s solve the mystery. Each of those listed here has been recognized for its unique culture. If you were exposed to the elements which make up a unique culture, you might be surprised at how basic, yet rare, they actually are. The names I’ve shared here are just a few of the many identified by Fortune Magazine year after year as the best companies to work for in the U.S.

They boast productivity, profitability, low turnover, high customer service satisfaction scores, longevity, and creativity to name a few of their commonalities. Most companies in any industry would be thrilled to boast such achievements. Yet few will benchmark those who do. If they did a little research, they would discover that they too could share this success by focusing on the need to place people before products, services, or profits. While all three are key to success, each can be and is achieved must sooner and to a greater degree through focus on your people.

Those listed above share critical elements which have certainly contributed to their success. Here are just a few of those elements.

• Age diversity
• Open communication
• Employee involvement
• Continuing education
• Ethnically diverse
• Recognition programs
• Community involvement
• Goal establishment
• Expectation establishment
• Accountability
• Celebration of success

Think about your organization. Are these contributing factors present in your culture? If not, consider benchmarking those who have identified the importance of a strong culture and have benefitted from a focus on their people.

Again, these are just a few of the factors which must exist to achieve the success you seek by attracting and keeping the people who will make it happen.

Check out this short video for further clarification of the importance of people.

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

As a keynote speaker and seminar facilitator, I have to accept the harsh reality that my every attempt to reach every participant in every audience is a lost cause. In fact, I learned that very early in my career.

As a result, I now focus on clarifying my message in the hope that those who are truly interested can readily transfer the concept into actionable strategies. In doing so, I have achieved greater peace of mind, and I’ve reached a greater number of audience members over the years.

Occasionally, when and where I least expect it, I’m blessed with very rewarding consequences which remind me why I do what I do. In February of this year, I flew to Biloxi, Mississippi, to work with a very unique team of individuals who focus on the continued efforts to restore life to the Gulf area after the Katrina tragedy of 2005. Yes, it’s far from over. However, these dedicated individuals took time out of their busy schedules to spend a full day with me discussing Productive Chaos.

One of the requested themes of this particular presentation focused on the critical skill of goal setting. During one of the breaks, I was approached by a charming and dedicated mother who informed me that she was going to share our material with her children in hopes of prompting them to set goals for their future. While impressed with her enthusiasm and noble intentions, I couldn’t help but recall that I’d heard this pledge many times in the past. I congratulated her, encouraged her, and requested that she keep me posted as to their progress.

Since that Biloxi visit, I had pretty well relegated that experience to a back burner as I tackled a very diverse and challenging schedule. Then just recently, to my amazement and great pleasure, I received an e-mail and PowerPoint attachment from Anna, the proud mother of two lovely daughters. She had shared her program content with her daughters, Xaveryana (12) and Xaynna (14), and they, in turn, not only developed short- and long-range goals but created a beautiful PowerPoint presentation in which to illustrate them!

They eloquently stated their goals, why each goal was important to them, and the action steps they were going to take to achieve each goal! As if that weren’t enough, they identified goals to be accomplished in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years! I’ll refrain from sharing their actual goals here as they’re obviously very personal and I want to respect their privacy. However, I can say that they were very specific and well thought out. Both young ladies were obviously proud of their goals and indeed determined to achieve every one of them.

They did a fantastic job of creating the PowerPoint and I’m certain will some day look back at this experience with pride and appreciation for a loving mother who cared enough to share some critical information and invest her time in guiding her children through a very rewarding process.

If only more parents would do the same for their children, I’m certain our future would hold much greater promise for everyone involved. Give it some thought.

Thank you, Anna, for sharing your wonderful experience. You should be very proud of your daughters. They’re going to be very successful adults!

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

As a young soldier early in my military career, I was accepted into the U.S. Army Signal School Photo Lab Course conducted at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. I was enthralled with this particular post as we shared quarters and classrooms with members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, foreign services and the Military Intelligence community. I learned a great deal, accumulated a vast array of memories, and left there after graduating, assuming I would never return.

It’s sometimes funny how things work out because, decades later, I did return. I’ve been back twice to facilitate seminars for the staff of Fort Monmouth. In fact, Fort Monmouth contacted AchieveMax® for me to present a third seminar this week at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. 

However, things have certainly changed over the years. Fort Monmouth was recommended for closure by the Pentagon as part of its base reduction campaign. That decision was upheld by President George W. Bush and Congress. An appeal was made to save the base but it was rejected.

However, a decision was made to salvage a good portion of the operation by relocating much of the facility and staff to the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. As they make this transition, I find myself this week in Aberdeen, conducting a “Productive Chaos: Personal Accountability in the Workplace” presentation as they actually strive to accomplish productivity amidst chaos. And I’m certain they’ll do just that.

Amidst “chaos” around the world, our military community continues to do whatever necessary to preserve and protect the liberties we have grown to cherish. Little did I know at the time of my first visit decades ago, that I would return in the future at such a decisive point in the history of such a renowned military establishment.

Life is like that so often for so many. We never know what the future may hold for us but we must prepare for any eventuality. The “chaos” may always be there, but it’s our challenge and duty to strive to make it productive. Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

I spent the better part of last week in the Gulfport-Biloxi area of Mississippi on what was once the beautiful coastal beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. I had the distinct privilege and unforgettable pleasure of working with the incredible staff of the HOPE Community Development Agency.

On August 29th of 2005, the entire 60-mile coastline of the Mississippi Gulf Coast suffered 10 hours of unequaled destruction by Hurricane Katrina, resulting in such cataclysmic loss of life and obliteration of homes and possessions that the entire area eerily resembled dawn after a nuclear winter.

Just two days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, in response to dire and immediate need to coordinate and support relief and recovery efforts, the East Biloxi Relief and Coordination Agency was created with the goals of sustaining hope and providing relief and comfort through synchronized action and helping the community regain control over its future. This group later evolved into the HOPE Community Development Agency.

Partnering with local churches and local volunteer organizations, it provided immediate food, shelter and basic medical care to the thousands of families whose homes were destroyed by the hurricane. In the following months, the event and those involved faded from the national headlines and many across the country wrongly assumed that everything was back to normal. Not true … by a long shot!

Five years later, I found myself piloting my rental car through various neighborhoods stunned by what I saw. While all of the casinos have been restored, I found many homes, retail establishments, fast food locations, and concrete bridges looking as though the initial devastation had occurred yesterday! I was astonished to say the least.

HOPE eventually evolved into a full-service resource center for residents—a place where residents come to share their aspirations and concerns regarding the rebuilding effort, to participate in planning for both the immediate recovery and long-term prosperity of their community, and create a shared vision for the future of their community.

This extraordinary team has rehabilitated more than 650 homes, with roughly 200 salvageable homes remaining; new construction of homes totally destroyed by the storm lags behind, though Hope has rebuilt approximately 35 new homes and has more than 70 in the pipeline. The homes themselves have been rebuilt in standard design while others boast futuristic designs perched high above the sands on steadfast stilts. The rental units have yet to receive attention.

In short, much has been accomplished and yet much has yet to be done five years after the initial tragedy. Talking with local residents you can sense the spirit of love, teamwork, respect and sense of loss they have shared in their quest to rise again from the mass destruction brought about by that massive force of nature. The unbending spirit of generations of shrimpers, fishermen, and other coastal families will insure the rebuilding of their homes as well as a limitless future.

It was indeed an honor to meet and work with those who have survived such devastation and emerged to rise again with an undying spirit. In a very short span of time, they taught me lessons I’ll never forget. For doing so, they have my undying gratitude and heartfelt thanks.

Our country has experienced many challenges over the past few years and many have lost much. We must endure a variety of obstacles and rise again to regain and maintain the greatness we know we possess.

Share this short video with friends, family and associates to realize the challenge we face, the potential we possess and the rewards which await us.

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

The older I get, the more irony I find in my day-to-day activity. This morning, I picked up a copy of USA Today in the terminal to read on my flight. I boarded the plane, got comfortable in my seat and started reading prior to take off.

There, in the center of the front page, above the fold, was a photo of a large U.S. passenger plane taking off into the wild blue yonder. Directly below the photo, in very large, bold red print, was the number 65,000! The headline under that impressive number read: “U.S flights with maintenance problems have taken off anyway.” Now that’s a confidence-building statement, isn’t it?

Here’s where the irony sets in. I’m buckled into my seat on a plane that very much resembles the one I’m looking at on the front page, and I’m wondering if I’m on one of those 65,000 flights! Odds are pretty good that I am.

The story goes on to explain that USA Today recently conducted a six-month investigation which revealed that substandard repairs, unqualified mechanics, and lax oversight by airlines and the FAA are not at all unusual! I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that this story covered half of the front page and all of the second page!

Trying to remain positive and get my mind off that encouraging story, I turned to the Money Section of the paper. I should have known better. Right in the center of the front page of that section was the photo of another airplane and a baggage handler tossing a bag into the belly of the aircraft. The headline read: “Do airlines improve bag handling when fees rise?”

The article covered half of the front page and two thirds of the second page, focusing on the recent increases in baggage fees by most every airline. The major thrust of the article revealed that very little, if any, of that money ($2.7 billion in the last year) collected was used to reduce the number of lost and damaged bags or enhance the technology used to track our bags. It also pointed out that mishandled bags cost the airline industry $3 billion last year!

None of this information really shocked me as I’ve been hearing it for quite some time now. However, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the double irony. First, I’m reading this depressing information while strapped helplessly captive in one of those poorly maintained aircrafts that will more than likely lose or damage my bag after charging me an increased fee for that privilege.

Secondly, the only airline NOT charging a fee of any kind for your first two bags happened to be the ONLY airline in the nation to earn a profit for the past year! Hello-o-o-o? Need I mention that it was Southwest?

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

As I grow older, I find myself tearing up more often than ever before. The reasons are numerous and varied and, in most cases, very cathartic for me. I don’t mind at all. It might be a song, a movie, a TV show, a memory, a realization or simply something that happened during my busy day.

I firmly believe these various circumstances have always presented themselves to me. I’m just more aware of them at this point in my life.

One of those moments materialized for me recently during a very hectic week in a major city. I was involved in a frenzied week of training which ran until 9 p.m. every night. I repeated the same program several times every day in order to accommodate the hundreds of employees our client had scheduled to attend.

Leadership and front-line employees alike arrived from all over the city to attend the three-hour sessions, day after day. Due to the size of each session, the programs were held in one of the largest and most historic churches in the city.

After the last session of my last night, I was alone in the enormous auditorium packing up my materials and props. I had turned off most of the lights, and it was extremely quiet at this point. I was suddenly startled to see someone just three feet in front of me … almost as though he had instantly materialized out of nowhere.

There, standing quietly with a warm smile on his thinly bearded face, was a short, middle-aged man who, extending his hand, said in heavily broken English, “Hello, Mr. Harry. My name is Albert.”

I smiled, shook his hand, and returned the greeting. He apologized for bothering me after a long week but said he wanted to thank me for everything he had learned this week. I thought that it was odd that he had referred to a three-hour session as “all week.”

He went on, in broken English, to explain that he wasn’t an official attendee of the training. He was an employee of the church where the sessions were being held. He was walking by the auditorium on the first night of the week after getting off work. He listened at the door to see why people were laughing. After a few minutes of listening, he casually made his way to the back of the room, picked up one of our booklets, found a seat and became an “unofficial attendee.” He sat through the entire program taking notes!

As if that weren’t unusual enough, Albert returned after work every night for the rest of the week and sat through the program again and again. I thanked him for doing so but couldn’t help but to inquire why he kept coming back.

Albert explained that he was from Albania and struggles to understand and translate the English language. Each night after the class ended at 9 p.m., he took his notes home, sat around his kitchen table with his wife, two sisters, one brother, and three high school aged children, and they all discussed and translated his notes. He told me that his entire family had learned so much by the end of the week and how much they all enjoyed the lessons they had learned. He wanted to stop by and thank me for the gift I had provided for his family.

I accepted his out-stretched hand once again and told him that it was I who wanted to thank him for reminding me that there were still good people in this world who wanted to learn and grow. I told him that it was an honor for me to be a part of his family’s growth. At that point, with what appeared to be glistening eyes, he hugged me and simply said, “Thank you, Mr. Harry, and God bless you.” Albert then turned and walked away into the darkness.

What I didn’t tell Albert was that many who shared that auditorium with him all week didn’t want to be there, others felt they were being forced to attend, many didn’t listen much less take notes, and some weren’t focused on learning or personal growth. That was certainly not the fault of our client. These behaviors are evident in most all groups who attend this type of session today. It doesn’t matter where they work or what part of the country they live in. It’s simply human nature.

These reactions make it difficult for those of us addressing these audiences. It’s so easy to get frustrated as you wonder just how many will benefit from your efforts. You sometimes feel as though you want to consider throwing in the towel. You never do, of course, for the sake of the few who truly want to learn and grow—but you sometimes feel like reaching for that towel.

That night, Albert from Albania, unbeknownst to him, actually encouraged me to reach for that towel. However, it wasn’t to throw it in … it was to wipe my brow, appreciate those like Albert, and refocus my efforts to always search every audience for my next “Albert.”

I finished packing up my things for the walk back to my hotel through the quiet, dark streets of late-night city … a bit of an appreciative tear in my eyes and a glowing warmth in my heart. Thank you Albert!

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Just when I feel I’ve seen it all, someone comes along to prove me wrong. I seem to find the strangest situations in larger cities like L.A., Dallas, Chicago, and New York City. My last visit to the Big Apple was certainly no exception. As I reflect on this very unusual incident, I still can’t understand or begin to explain it. However, I won’t soon forget it.

On my last evening in town, after a long week of facilitation, I decided to have dinner in a picturesque little restaurant near the East River not far from my hotel.

I was sitting alone in the rear of the restaurant enjoying my dinner when I noticed an enthusiastic young man, in his mid-30s, walking rapidly toward me with a big grin on his face. I knew he was coming to me as I was the only one in that area of the restaurant and I was sitting by the window overlooking the river.

As he arrived at my table, he reached out, grabbed my hand and starting pumping it as though I were a long lost friend he hadn’t seen in years. In heavily broken English, he gave me his name and told me how thrilled he was to meet me. He called me Sam as he explained that he never misses an episode of my show.

I quickly explained my name was not Sam and he might have mistaken me for someone else. He apologized and said that he was certain I was Sam Waterston, one of the stars of the long-running television series, Law & Order. He asked if he could have an autograph.

Trying to keep a straight face, I again gave him my name and explained that I was not Sam Waterston. Again in broken English, he said he understood, apologized for bothering me but still wanted my autograph because he thought I looked so much like Sam Waterston.

At this point, I was very embarrassed and couldn’t think of anything to say. He then handed me a pen and a folded newspaper as he explained he wanted the autograph for his wife who loved the show.

I said, “You understand I’m NOT Sam Waterston, right?” He indicated he was aware of that fact but still wanted my autograph as he continued to hold the newspaper in from of me. I really felt stupid at this point as other customers in the restaurant had turned to watch this encounter trying to figure out who I was. I quickly told him I didn’t feel comfortable signing someone else’s name.

He again grinned from ear to ear and said, “No, I want you to sign your own name!” Now I’m almost laughing out loud as I tried to visualize this man explaining this scenario to his wife when he got home. Why would she want the autograph of a total stranger who her husband thought looked like a television actor? He obviously wasn’t going to give an inch so I quickly signed my own name on his newspaper! The man again thanked me, pumped my hand again, and went on his way.

Several customers were still glancing my way. It took me another ten minutes to finish my meal, and I then made my way to the register to pay my bill. As I walked by a man and his wife at a nearby table, the man reached up and tapped my shoulder as he asked, “Are you somebody?” Maintaining a straight face and continuing my journey to the register, I said: “Isn’t everyone? Sam Waterston — Law and Order.”

As I continued walking, I could hear the husband tell his wife, “I thought so!”

People are funny.
Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Today is November 5th—the day after the World Series ended in New York City and the day before the beloved ticker-tape parade to celebrate the Yankees 27th world championship.

From the moment I hit the streets this morning until I returned to my hotel late this evening, I witnessed a New York City seldom ever seen by anyone … residents or tourists. However, this is the second time in my life that I’ve had the privilege to witness this rare occurrence!

To fully understand and appreciate today’s phenomenon, you need to know a few facts about this city:

• The demographics of NYC are evidence of a uniquely large and ethnically diverse metropolis.
• NYC is the largest city in the United States with a population uniquely defined by a long history of international immigration.
• New York City is home to more than 8 million people, accounting for about 40% of the population of New York State and a similar percentage of the New York metropolitan area, home to about 20 million.
• More than 170 languages are spoken in the city, and 36% of its population is foreign born.

In short, New York City is the greatest melting pot on the face of earth! Rather than describe to you what I saw today, allow me to tell you what I DIDN’T see today!

I saw absolutely no Chinese people. Not one. Nor did I see a single Albanian, Greek, or Romanian! There wasn’t a single Jewish person on the streets. No Japanese, no African American, no Polish or Italian. I saw no Puerto Ricans, Asians, or Irish. Not a single Russian, Greek, or German. I didn’t even see one single American!

No, today the city of New York is home to none of the above! Today, this colossal city is home to no one but Yankees! The city is filled with pride and allegiance to a baseball team! Even Met fans have taken the day off to salute their brother Yankees as they celebrate their 27th World Championship. Everyone in this city is in 27th Heaven!

However, it’s much more than a baseball team which has brought this massive population together as one! It’s the need for a mutual cause … a bond, if you will! Times are bad. Worse than many have ever seen before in their lives. Stress, despair, and loss of hope is rampant. People are searching for answers and hope. It just so happens that one of their local sports teams emerged at this time to offer a glimmer of hope in a very dark world. Today, and probably through the parade and the weekend to follow, people have forsaken all their hopelessness and feelings of loss to become an unofficial Yankee.

People are shaking the hands of strangers, hugging each other, dancing in the streets. There are no arguments, disagreements, or unsmiling faces.

I mentioned that I felt privileged to have witnessed this very unique situation in NYC twice in my life. The last time was shortly after the historic attack on the World Trade Center right here in the heart of the Financial District. I’ll spare you the grim details as most of us will never forget the pictures of shock, fear and devastation which occurred as a result of that 9-11 tragedy.

The emotions were obviously the opposite of what we see today. There was no joy, elation or celebration! But there was that unspoken, universal bond which brought this city together like never before in its history. Again, there were no nationalities that day, week, or month. At that time, EVERYONE was a NEW YORKER! In fact, that feeling was felt throughout the country and even the world. Everyone was a New Yorker for so many obvious reasons. And for those who witnessed this never-before-seen spectacle … it was not only undescribable but it was heartwarming to the point that defied description!

My question is this: WHY do we wait for a CAUSE? Why must there be a fantastic accomplishment or major disaster before we come together as human beings and treat others as we’d like to be treated, support one another, and care for those we live with day in and day out. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could experience those emotions every day in every way?

While that will never happen to the degree described above, WE could all put forth an effort to make things better than they are today! And if enough of us decided to do that, from coast to coast, this country would experience an obvious joy and healing that we so dearly need in these chaotic times. I’m willing to give it a shot … starting today! How about you?
Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

I’m in New York City this week executing one of the busiest schedules I’ve experienced in quite some time. On top of that schedule, just being in the Big Apple is always an enormous challenge. It’s a different world altogether … much like visiting 15 different cities all wrapped up in one. Every visit is an educational experience in so many ways if you simply open your mind to it.

I had an experience tonight that would certainly fit into that unique category of “events that lead to deep thought.” I completed my last training session of the day at 9 p.m., closed the facility and took the elevator down to the street level to hail a cab back to my hotel. Hitting the street, I discovered a beautiful full moon reflecting across the Hudson River and a brisk autumn air to put the finishing touches on a gorgeous night! I decided against the usual cab ride and chose, instead, a nice leisurely stroll through the financial district and on to the historic seaport district where my hotel is situated.

As I casually strolled down Wall Street passing in front of the New York Stock Exchange, I was suddenly confronted with a shocking scene which actually stopped me in my tracks! Directly in my path was a police officer decked out in full swat team regalia including a helmet with plastic visor and a very threatening fully automatic firearm (machine gun to many people) complete with a large capacity magazine. To complete this military image, I couldn’t help but notice the bulky bulletproof vest, and camouflage attire including combat boots.

I couldn’t help but notice that the officer was holding the weapon in such a manner that it was obvious he could fire it in seconds. Suddenly I saw two more officers, similarly dressed and armed to my left, then a few more off to my right and within seconds identified a total of 12 which suddenly appeared as a small army. It seemed immediately obvious to me that there must have been an incident in the area which summoned this intimidating group of militia.

To add to this very unusual scenario was a small group of city service workers resurfacing a sidewalk under the brilliant glare of very bright overhead lights. I couldn’t help but pause and question one of the workers as to why so many heavily armed military personnel were in the area.

He quickly explained that nothing had happened. He said, “These guys are here every day and every night and have been since 9-11 to protect the Stock Exchange from a terrorist attack.” He said locals were used to this scene, and I was only seeing those out in the open. He said there were many, many more in the alleys and on top of the surrounding buildings.

I thanked him and started walking again when it suddenly dawned on me that I was pulling a small roller suitcase filled with the props I used in my training. It was now nearing 10 p.m., and I’m strolling through a heavily armed security area pulling what might very well appear to be a suitcase filled with explosives. I immediately felt the cold, hard stare of dozens of well-trained eyes analyzing my every step.

However, no one questioned me or made any move to approach me. I cautiously picked up my pace and quickly made my way toward my hotel in somewhat of a quick step. Ten minutes later, I could see the friendly twinkling lights of the Brooklyn Bridge reflecting off the water resembling a post card …. and I knew I was just a block from the safe haven of my hotel.

It was an amazing realization that I just moved from the beauty of one river area near the scene of the Twin Towers tragedy to that of an equally beautiful river area complete with the world renowned Brooklyn Bridge while passing through what appeared to be a modern day combat zone in the heart of one of the largest cities on the planet. Whew! Nuff said! Welcome to New York City!
Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

We all have fears of one sort or another. The fear matters not—it’s how you react to that fear that makes the difference! As a high school student, I would take a failing grade before I would stand in front of the class and make a verbal presentation. Just thinking about speaking in front of my fellow students caused me to sweat, shake, and get sick to my stomach. Rather than facing that fear and attempting to overcome it, I chose to take a failing grade. Today, I speak for a living in front of small groups and massive audiences at major conventions all over North America. I just wished I had addressed that fear much earlier in my career.

Seven years ago, I was invited to keynote and conduct a breakout for the Governor’s Workforce Development Conference for the State of Wisconsin. I was privileged to be sharing the platform with the Governor of Wisconsin. When I arrived at the beautiful Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells I met what appeared to be a very nervous young man. He was introduced to me as a very talented webmaster for the State by the name of Stu Voeck. Apparently Stu had just been given the task of introducing me to this very large conference audience, and he was scared stiff as he had never before done anything like this even though he was currently involved with Toastmasters. In addition, his left arm was in an immobilizer to limit the movement of a dislocated elbow.

Having quite some time before my address, we sat down, relaxed, got to know one another and chatted about Stu’s sudden challenge/opportunity. I call it that because he was actually excited about this opportunity and what it might mean for him in the future. At the same, he had very strong reservations about walking out on that stage, even though it would only be for a minute or two.

I shared a few insights with Stu, we weighed a few options and I couldn’t help but note that he began to relax just a bit. Long story short … Stu marched out on that stage in front of a massive audience and delivered one of the best introductions I had ever enjoyed. He left me feeling that I had better live up to the expectations he had given the audience. I don’t know if it was his pride or his relief that lifted him off that stage … but I could have sworn I saw a hop and a skip in that exit. I’m certain that no one in that audience knew that was Stu’s first speaker introduction.

Stu did advance to the level of Advanced Toastmaster – Bronze and served as club president and received an award from Toastmaster International for his club performance during his presidency. Why do I feel I’m going to end up working for him?

Ironically, a year later, Stu was called upon once more to introduce me as the keynote speaker at an Association of Job Search Trainers conference in Palm Springs, California. I almost didn’t recognize him as he delivered a well-polished, very professional introduction. He had indeed grown a great deal in just one year.

To this day, we laugh about that experience and how far he’s come from that initial fear and how well he faced it and overcame it. I’ve been following Stu’s career since that time as we still speak on a weekly, sometimes daily, basis. He’s attained many goals and continues to raise the bar for himself. I’m proud and privileged to call him my friend! You might just soon be attending a national conference where another very shaky rookie walks out on a stage and introduces the keynote speaker as Stu Voeck!

Watch for him and realize you wouldn’t be seeing him up there and enjoying his presentation if he hadn’t faced his fear many years ago. You, too, can enjoy that same success! Will you?
Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.