“As human beings, we have the ability, and the choice, to lift people up or to put them down.”
Wise words from Bob Burg—and he would know. He’s made a career of uplifting others, while teaching them, in turn, to do the same.
Dad and me
Bob shares his wisdom in best-selling books like Endless Referrals and The Go-Giver. He inspires jam-packed audiences including Fortune 500 companies.
Bob Burg is our Savvy Dad guest today. Bob’s dad, Mike, taught him a key lesson on life …Goodspeak.
Mike is the Master of “Goodspeak”.
Goodspeak?
Goodspeak, a word Bob made up, means finding the best in people — and vocalizing it. “Most people gossip. Dad finds and speaks the good,” says Bob.
But it’s more than just kindness and compliments. Goodspeak is about setting examples. To Bob, that’s essential to the “lifting up” — as you’re about to see. Here’s what Bob says about Mike, The Master of Goodspeak.
Have you ever heard husbands, when speaking to others, make unkind remarks about their wives? It’s one of those macho things, right?
Sure, they’re ‘only kidding,’ but words matter. Examples, good and bad, are set, especially for children.
Mike, my dad, ALWAYS speaks of Mom in the most complimentary, glowing terms. As does she of him. They began poor and built a successful business. Although Dad was the one in the public eye and Mom more comfortable behind the scenes, Dad always made sure everyone knew that Mom was the driving force.
My favorite ‘Dad story’ took place when I was 12. We were having carpet installed in our home.
The crew boss was one of those stereotypical beer-guzzlin’, hard-livin’ guys, who would have probably belonged to Ralph Kramden’s Raccoon Lodge from the old Honeymooner’s TV show (nothing wrong with that – just painting a picture).
For lunch, my folks bought pizza for the crew. Dad went to talk with the boss about the job. I was listening in, just around the corner.
The boss said, ‘This is an expensive job. Women will really spend your money, won’t they?’
Dad responded, ‘Well, I’ll tell you, when they were right there with you before you had money, it’s a pleasure to do anything you can for them now.’
This wasn’t the answer the crew boss expected. He was looking for negative talk about wives, which to him, was normal.
He tried again, ‘But, gee, they’ll really play off that and spend all they can, won’t they?’
Dad replied, as I knew he would, ‘Hey, when they’re the reason you’re successful, you want them to have and do what they enjoy.
Please understand; Dad did not speak in a condescending manner. He was simply being himself; a man who loved and respected his wife (my Mom) so much that there was no way he would give in and participate in that type of talk.
Finally, the boss gave up. Maybe he learned something about respecting one’s spouse. Maybe not. But it taught a young boy a lot about the power of respect.
Goodspeak.
Saying positive words. Uplifting others. Inspiring them to do the same. That’s my dad. I strive to follow his example!
I love this post and how Bob’s Dad respected his Mom…even when it may have been more easy or more “comfortable” to just agree with the carpet guy. All married couples should, in my opinion, emulate Mike’s example.