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Greg Risberg died last week...
Most of you didn't know him. Greg was a speaker of the highest order. He had a psychology and social work background; a little touchy feely for me, but audiences loved him. He was earnest and funny.
Greg spoke on humor, hope and happiness. Said everyone needed at least four hugs a day.
I'm not sure how scientific that is, but it worked for him.
When I first started in the business I was in a small speakers support pod with Greg. He had already been at it for many years, seasoned, award winning. He was a speaker I measured myself against.
One year he and I were up for the same speaking gig. He got it, but the next year the company hired me to speak at the same event.
This was a moment for me...
I knew if this audience responded to my presentation at least as well as they responded to Greg's then, in my mind, I was legit.
My presentation went really well, so, apparently, I was legit. It was a watershed moment, my confidence buoyed. I had proof that I was pretty good.
Not too long after, I learned a life lesson that I've set my compass by ever since. I didn't learn it from Greg, but it involved him...pay attention to this one.
He used to do a thing when he was introduced to audiences. He would be standing several feet to the wing of the emcee in view of the crowd. He'd have his microphone on and as he was introduced he would oooh and ahhh and make surprised and delighted faces to the crowd as if he didn't know this person who was being introduced.
As the emcee marched through Greg's resume he would make comments like, "Wow" and "That guy sounds pretty good." Then he might ecstatically exclaim, "This is gonna be great!"
The audience was already laughing hilariously before he ever reached the podium. Talk about a warm up. It was a great bit that worked amazingly well...for him.
One day, I thought I would try it myself.
There were 160 in the audience in Topeka, Kansas. I warned the emcee what I was going to do. She smiled and said she would play along. She started in and I started ooohing and aaahing.
Instead of laughter, however, the audience looked puzzled. And I thought, "This is not going well."
I stumbled along awkwardly. I was uncomfortable. More confusion in the crowd.
Finally, my confidence sagging, the emcee said my name, people clapped politely, and I started in.
I found my footing and by the end I had won the audience. But I didn't do myself any favors with that start.
Actually, I didn't do myself any favors by trying to be someone I'm not. From that day I said when I'm in front of an audience I'll be true to myself and who I am. I'm not Greg, I'm me.
And so it's been.
Most often the best success can't be found by the copy-cat. More often it's found by the original. I am what I am, take it or leave it.
I cannot tell you how important that moment was for me.
Indeed, two big moments.
Greg and I were fairly close at one time, though not of late. I hadn't seen or talked to him in probably nine years.
But, to this day, I grow from those two singular experiences.
Here's to four hugs a day in heaven, my friend.
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday there will not be an advisory for the next two weeks. See you again on December 9th!
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