npMarketing Blog: NAACM – Tony Robbins and the single most important thing I heard at the conference

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

NAACM – Tony Robbins and the single most important thing I heard at the conference

Ok, I’m going to admit this in public – I’m a huge Tony Robbins fan. My brother and I even have a nickname for him: “The Bot.” Email me if you can’t figure that one out. In any case, I’m a giant fan of his and have I’ve read all his books and yes, bought several CD packages. Most recently, I finished Get the Edge – I still haven’t calmed down.

I have been excited to see Tony since I registered for the conference a month ago and I was ready! Before I give the notes, I think it is worth noticing that Tony is crossing over in a big way. For him to be speaking at an industry marketing conference and adding the value that he did today is pretty amazing. Remember, this is the infomercial guy.

According to Tony, leaders must:

See it as it is, but not worse
See it better than it is
Make it as you see it

In this context, Tony discussed change – change is instant – it’s progress that takes time and leadership.

The main thrust of the talk was really about resourcefulness. When people complain about lack of resources, what they are really saying is that they are not resourceful enough to get the job done – they aren’t committed enough, have enough passion, desire, drive, love, whatever to just get it done. Hmm… interesting.

Emotion is created by motion. While it felt a bit silly, the physical exercises we did were fantastic – the energy in the room was palpable and tangible. I felt it – and I know the folks around me felt it – even though we all felt silly. Tony pointed out that the words are a small part of influence; your VOICE and your physiology are in fact, much more powerful. So… information without emotion is useless – action is power.

Ok, here goes… the most important thing I heard at the entire conference:

Business is about love. It’s about emotion, and passion.

I mentioned in an earlier post that LLS is in the hope business. Let me expand on that – the business The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is in is providing hope to those affected by blood cancers. Our passion and our mission are to cure those cancers. Period. End of story.

With that as our guide, we should be inspired and resourceful in looking for new solutions, new money and in everything we do everyday. We need to love our patients, our researchers, our donors, our event participants and our employees. With that love as a guide, only then will we be able to see it as it is (but not worse), see it better than it is, and be in a position to make it as it should be. I dig this! This gets me excited!

The session ended and I was buzzing… I looked up and Tony was coming at me… I shook his hand and thanked him for his time and for the inspiration. Too cool. The Bot Rules!