'Heeeeeere's Johnny!' by Ron White, Mysticism, reading, forums, Numerology, Sun Signs, Divination

Posts: 5109 · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:46 am

1. 'Heeeeeere's Johnny!' by Ron White

One of my fondest childhood memories is watching The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. When I was 7 years old, I would get a tape recorder and put it against the television and record Johnny’s monologue. I remember running into my parents’ room because I wanted my mom to come and listen to the “funny man.” When she walked into the living room, she did laugh.

However, it was not at Johnny Carson; instead, she laughed that her 7-year-old son was convinced he had discovered Johnny before anyone else in the family!

Perhaps it should be of no surprise that, decades later, I make my living delivering monologues, much like my childhood mentor. Although I am a keynote speaker and not a comedian, I did originally try to be a comedian... but everyone just laughed at me!

As I listened to Johnny’s friends after he passed away a few years ago, they all talked about what people from ages 7 to 97 loved about him. Do you know what they said? They said that he:

—Let others talk. (In other words, Johnny was the star by not always turning the spotlight on himself; he let others shine.)
—Listened. (Not only did he let others talk, but he also listened!)
—Made jokes, but never at the expense of his guests.
—Saw the value in bringing the common man on his show.
—Wanted to see others succeed.
—Was almost funnier when his jokes bombed because he just rolled with it.

Johnny Carson understood that if his guests were successful and funny, that made him a star. He spent his interviews letting others have the spotlight.

Here is the life lesson: Understand what I call the “Carson Principle.” This principle says that if you want to make your life successful, then make those around you successful.

Spend time listening to the least among you. The “Carson Principle” also goes on to say that if you spend your efforts drawing attention to yourself, it will actually backfire. Focusing on others will catapult you to success. This may not be monetary success, but it will surely mean relational success. Finally, the “Carson Principle” says that it is OK to fail, and don’t take your failures too seriously.

Mr. Carson, I still have your decades-old monologues on cassette tape. Although I was not aware of it at a young age, you taught me a lot about life and success. Thank you.

2. Quotes of The Week
Communication

“Accept complete responsibility both for understanding and for being understood.”
—Brian Tracy

“The substance of your communication is the response it generates.” —Tony Jeary

“The greatest communication skill is paying value to others.” —Denis Waitley

“Writing is the gold standard of communication. Learn to do it well, and see more gold.”
—Chris Widener

“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” —Benjamin Franklin

“Self-expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment.” —Pearl Buck

“The organization that can’t communicate can’t change, and the corporation that can’t change is dead.” —Nido Qubein

“Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.” —Anne Morrow Lindbergh

3. Words to Learn By by John C. Maxwell

In my years studying leadership and evaluating leaders, I have stumbled across a leadership shortcoming that continually amazes me. Leaders will manage a team, work with the same individuals every day, yet hardly know anything about their people! These leaders have never prioritized acquainting themselves with the dreams, thoughts, hopes, opinions and values of those they lead.

The best leaders are readers of people. They have the intuitive ability to understand others by discerning how they feel and recognizing what they sense.

I have found that leaders overestimate the amount of time and effort needed to get to know someone. In fact, in only one hour with you in private conversation, I could, probably by asking three questions, find the passion of your life:

What do you dream about?
A person’s dreams are powerful revealers of passion. When a person starts to talk about their dreams, it’s as if something bubbles up from within. Their eyes brighten, their face glows, and you can feel the excitement in their words.

What do you cry about?
Passion can be uncovered by peering into the hurts deep inside a human soul. The experience of pain or loss can be a formidably motivating force. When listening to a story of grief, you hear a voice thick with emotion, you see watery eyes flooded with feeling, and in that moment, you glimpse the intense connections between a person’s deepest pain and their greatest passion.

What makes you happy?
I have fun hearing what makes people tick and seeing the smile that comes when they talk about where they find joy. Enjoyment is an incredible energizer to the human spirit. When a person operates in an area of pleasure, they are apt to be brimming with life and exuding passion.
If you can uncover a person’s dreams, hurts and joys, you’ve discovered the central dimensions of their life.