Number 7 of 52 Lifelong Communication Lessons: Smart is as smart does
February 16, 2015 |
| Anthony Hopkins & Jodie Foster win Academy Awards for The Silence of the Lambs |
The year was 1992.
Jodie Foster and Anthony
Hopkins win Academy Awards for their roles in The Silence of the Lambs and the 208th and final episode of The Cosby Show airs on NBC. In Vancouver,
Woodward's files for court protection and the new downtown library
coliseum design is selected - I worked on both.
The first time I met this man, I could tell he was super smart.
The pointed questions he asked, his lightening fast ability to crunch numbers
and the crisp articulation of complex subjects seemed incredibly easy for him.
We were in a meeting to discuss a sensitive issue and having a
slight disagreement on approach. He was the top banana and others in the room
seemed reluctant to get into the debate. He asked tough questions but listened
respectfully to an alternate point of view. By this stage in my career, I had
already learned the really bright people were often the most reasonable. And,
this man was eminently reasonable... if you had done your homework and
presented a good argument.
I had the good fortune to work with this gentleman on a number
of huge projects. All of them were politically sensitive and important to the
community. His communication skills never ceased to amaze. He did not always
understand public emotion as he worked in a world of facts and logic. What he
did understand was pretty much everything else!
The boardroom was where his communication excelled. While he
expected consultants and staff to be prepared and savvy, he cut a lot of slack
for his political masters. He clearly understood his role to make them look
good and never sought recognition for his brilliant ideas.
I remember one such occasion where I included a small nod to him
in a politician's speaking notes. He barked at me to take it out and never do
that again. His humbleness in spite of the fact the project was inspired and
made possible totally by him was a big lesson for me. He knew his place. The
politician recognized him anyway, much to my delight.
He can connect the dots and develop strategies for just about
anything. He brings others along by gently putting forward his observations
with a dash of Columbo style innocence, "I don't know a lot about x but
have you thought about y?" As Einstein said, "If you can't explain it
simply, you don't understand it well enough". This man is my present day
Einstein.
We became best of friends along the way and to this day he still
challenges me with imposing, intelligent questions. He laments the passing
years getting frustrated when he cannot recall a word and grumbles about
diminished faculties. Most people would be thrilled to have a small percentage
of his intellect.
Communication lessons: Really smart people don't show off, tell you how smart they are or
need to be recognized for their intelligence. They just are. Really smart people know how to help others gain knowledge.
Fast forward to 2015. Think how much we will miss the witty
banter of Jon Stewart.
The next year we will visit is 1990.
The next year we will visit is 1990.
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2 comments
1992 - it was a memorable year. My memory is fuzzy now too, but I think you indirectly shared this lesson with me simply by the fact it was a large part of you -- gracious, humble, and a mentor who lead by example.
ReplyDeleteLarry...too sweet.
ReplyDelete