Dec 14, 2016
Co-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos interview
Scott Friedman. Scott is an internationally sought-after
professional speaker and author. As a motivational humorist, Scott
inspires and entertains with fun-filled interactive and
content-rich programs. Scott’s main area of expertise is employee
innovation, customer experience, and using humor and celebration as
a strategic tool. In addition to being Chief Celebration Officer at
Scott Friedman & Associates, Scott has written many books on
celebration, humor, audience engagement, and creating happier and
healthier workplaces. Jan and Jim talk with Scott about how good
humor, good communication, and good leadership align; some traits
that are shared by successful CEOs; the power of stories to build
connections; the power of celebration to build employee engagement;
and the power of gratitude to inspire philanthropy.
Listen in to learn how leadership, celebration, and
engagement work together with good humor to result in consistently
successful outcomes.
Key Takeaways
[3:53] Three characteristics really stand out in
becoming a great communicator: First is authenticity, second is
vulnerability, and the third is a sense of humility.
[8:40] Scott quotes Terry Paulson, who said, “When
someone blushes with embarrassment, when someone carries away an
ache, when something sacred is made to appear common, when
profanity is required to make it funny, when a child is brought to
tears, or, when everyone can’t join in the humor, it’s
inappropriate.”
[11:03] Jim Collins studied companies, and found 11
that sustained greatness for at least 15 years. Their CEOs had two
traits in common: a professional will to succeed, and a sense of
humility and a self-effacing style.
[14:30] Stories and humor transcend cultures. They
are tools for connecting with authenticity, vulnerability, and
humility, in a global community. Great leaders are good
storytellers.
[15:18] In your story, make others see their own
stories. Make your story about them, as well as about you. But
don’t tell too much of the story — less is more.
[19:01] Scott Bemis used to ask in interviews, “If
you come here to work at the Denver Business Journal, can
we make an agreement that this will be the best job you’ve ever
had?”
[25:20] Celebration leads to engagement. Engagement
leads to higher productivity and performance. Treat people right,
and they will engage.
[27:39] Richard Branson said, first he takes care of
his employees, then he takes care of his customers, and then he
takes care of his shareholders. In that order, everybody is taken
care of.
[31:01] Consider starting a meeting by saying, let’s
celebrate for a short moment — what are we doing that works? Bring
up the best of the best.
[38:55] The Together We Can Change The World
Foundation reminds us we are members of the lucky gene club. We
have a lot of great things just by how and where we were brought
up.
Quotable Quotes
“Good humor, to accomplish well, is as difficult as
good leadership.”
“The best leaders truly care about their people, and
they set them up to win.”
“The reason celebration fails in most companies
today, is because it becomes institutionalized.”
“Gratitude is the fastest way to happiness.”
“The life you change will be your own. ― Together We
Can Change the World Foundation”
Books Mentioned on the Show
Happily Ever Laughter: How to Engage Any Audience, by
Scott Friedman
Making Humor Work: Take Your Job Seriously and Yourself
Lightly, by Terry Paulson
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others
Don't, by Jim Collins
Celebrate: Lessons Learned from the World’s Most Admired
Organizations, by Scott Friedman
A
Celebration a Day: 365 Ways to a Happier Healthier Workplace,
by Scott Friedman (to be released in December in the
U.S.)
Stop Screaming at the Microwave: How to Connect Your
Disconnected Life, by Mary LoVerde
Hamlet, by William Shakespeare
Bio
Scott Friedman, CSP, travels more than 250 days a
year for his fun, which is a humorous approach to workplace
motivation and innovation through speaking engagements. For three
decades, Scott Friedman has combined his improvisational comedy
experience, and the art of storytelling, to help his clients
achieve their objectives. A certified speaking professional, and
trusted member of the speaking community, Scott continues to have a
strong presence, both domestically and globally. Scott is a former
president of the National Speakers Association, and was the 2013
recipient of their distinguished Cavett Award. Active in many
philanthropic projects, Scott is committed to helping people lead
more fulfilled lives.
Friedman’s speaking career is impressive, but his foundation,
Together We Can Change the World, might be his legacy. "At this
stage of my life, I get the most satisfaction from the volun-tours
with global speakers to Southeast Asia to build schools and homes,
awareness, self-esteem and hope for the future," he explains.
Website: TWCCTW.org
Facebook: TWCCTW