I’ve written before about my son, Jeremy’s, experience on Up with People and my involvement with and dedication to the program, not only as a parent of a participant, but as a member of UWP’s Board of Directors.
Established in 1965, Up with People has been flying under the radar in recent years, and most of the very people who should be in the program (age range of 18 – 29 years old) don’t even know it exists.
That’s all about to change.
The UWP cast will be performing in both the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade, and our hope is that by their stepping on to the world stage we’ll generate a nice buzz about this inspiring leadership development program.
This past August in Tucson, Arizona, Tommy Spaulding, the program’s president and CEO, delivered his vision for the future of the program at the opening session of the Up with People alumni reunion.
And it was one hell of a speech.
I know; I was there. (Not as an alumnus, but as a Board member).
But here’s the thing: it wasn’t just a great speech about one organization’s future, it’s a lesson for any leader about how to communicate an inspiring vision and enlist others in making it happen.
So let’s turn this into a lesson for the rest of us. Here’s the plan:
1. Put Yourself in the Role of Audience Member: assume you’re an alumnus of the program, and you’ve been frustrated with the organization because, in recent years, it hasn’t lived up to your expectations. At one point it even temporarily closed its doors, and you were afraid that it was going to stay closed forever. You’ve come to this reunion to re-connect with old friends, and now the new CEO steps up to the stage to give his vision of the re-launched program’s future. You want to believe him, but you’re more than a little bit skeptical. Cynical, even.
2. Understand the CEO’s (Tommy’s) Challenge: He needs the audience to believe in the new strategy and direction. He needs their good will, their support, and, sometimes, their money. He has to re-energize the optimists, and convert the cynics.
3. Take specific notes on what Tommy does and how he does it.
4. Make a list of the principles you could use in communicating your next leadership/vision message.
5. Write your observations in the comments section below.
Heeeere’s Tommy:
Wow. That was a hell of a speech. It reminded me of a speech by the past president of Great Plains Software Doug Burgum back in the 90’s just after the company suffered it’s worst year ever. The passion was unbelievable and the personalization was intense. If he would have asked me to work the next year for free, I would have without hesitation. This is the same way I felt while listening to Tommy. How can you help but beleive in someone who beleives so deeply themselves.
Thank you for sharing this.
Wow. That was a hell of a speech. It reminded me of a speech by the past president of Great Plains Software Doug Burgum back in the 90’s just after the company suffered it’s worst year ever. The passion was unbelievable and the personalization was intense. If he would have asked me to work the next year for free, I would have without hesitation. This is the same way I felt while listening to Tommy. How can you help but beleive in someone who beleives so deeply themselves.
Thank you for sharing this.
Tommy rocks! He is an inspiration to us all! He is the passion behind Up with People and all that we do!
Tommy rocks! He is an inspiration to us all! He is the passion behind Up with People and all that we do!
Thank you Steve for this wonderful post, this just made me realize how fortunate I am to be part of this world-wide team. There is a lot to learn from Tommy, everyday you found an amazing story from him.
With care,
Armando.
Thank you Steve for this wonderful post, this just made me realize how fortunate I am to be part of this world-wide team. There is a lot to learn from Tommy, everyday you found an amazing story from him.
With care,
Armando.
*Connect with the original vision
*create/remind/share personal connection with that vision and it’s being shared by the audience.
*respect/acknowledge elders/founders
*disclose problem/challange openly
*don’t dwell on the problem
*don’t blame
*expand on original vision. Show how the new vision merely builds on/expands the vision.
*drill into details of solution and how it addresses problem.
*recognize individual leaders
*personalize the vision with personal stories/anecdotes.
*believe it, live it
*Connect with the original vision
*create/remind/share personal connection with that vision and it’s being shared by the audience.
*respect/acknowledge elders/founders
*disclose problem/challange openly
*don’t dwell on the problem
*don’t blame
*expand on original vision. Show how the new vision merely builds on/expands the vision.
*drill into details of solution and how it addresses problem.
*recognize individual leaders
*personalize the vision with personal stories/anecdotes.
*believe it, live it
Steve – Thanks for sharing this incredible clip. I’ve had the chance to see an Up With People performance. It is just as intoxicating as Tommy’s speech.
Tommy really personalized the message with the perfect blend of humor so the message wasn’t lost in the laughter. The emotion in his voice was probably the most personalizing characteristic, not just the words.
I’ve been enjoying your books. I’m a student of Tim Johnson’s and hope things work out well so that we have an opportunity to converse next Wednesday.
Steve – Thanks for sharing this incredible clip. I’ve had the chance to see an Up With People performance. It is just as intoxicating as Tommy’s speech.
Tommy really personalized the message with the perfect blend of humor so the message wasn’t lost in the laughter. The emotion in his voice was probably the most personalizing characteristic, not just the words.
I’ve been enjoying your books. I’m a student of Tim Johnson’s and hope things work out well so that we have an opportunity to converse next Wednesday.