General H. Norman Schwarzkopf knew his audience at Business Expo ’98 last March at the Rhode Island Convention Center. They were business leaders — or aspiring business leaders. Busy people. But they had carved out time in their schedules for a healthy dose of inspiration.
They had come to hear from a real life American hero. And they were expecting a lot.
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Schwarzkopf delivered.
In a commanding voice, the Gulf War hero told them that “failure is contagious, but success is infectious.” He told them to accept a few mistakes because people learn from them.
“You’re not giving freedom for failure, but latitude to learn,” Schwarzkopf said.
There is no doubt that some of Schwarzkopf’s words of wisdom took root with Rhode Island executives. And perhaps some of his ideas have been implemented at companies throughout the Ocean State.
A good motivational speaker can do that. He or she can have a lasting — and profound impact.
Jan Du Plain is founder and chief executive officer of the Washington, D.C.-based Du Plain International Speakers Bureau. She has worked in the Washington, D.C., market for 30 years. Du Plain arranges for public speakers from a base of clients that includes high-profile journalists, writers and filmmakers, including Ken Burns, noted for documentaries on the Civil War and baseball.
