January 19, 2005
On Hearing Paul Orfalea, Founder of Kinkos
This weekend I had the opportunity to hear a keynote speech delivered by Paul Orfalea, founder and chairman Emeritus of Kinkos. He was a very laid back, personable, and charismatic speaker in my opinion. Some key ideas that stuck in my mind are:
- Every product and service that you see around you is a success story, or you wouldn't see it. This world is full of success stories!
- Paul is dyslexic and was expelled from high school numerous times. Therefore, he realized very early on what he was not good at and partnered and/or hired people who were smarter than him in these weak areas. So, he actually considers his weaknesses to be strengths. I actually agree with this. To think you're good at something when you're really not or to be good at too many things can actually be a curse as you may try doing everything yourself.
- Everybody is always busy. They focus too much on today and yesterday. As result of giving responsibilities to others, he freed himself to visit stores, learn secrets from each, and share them across the organization.
- He made a great distinction between people managing their career (CEO) and managing their business (Owner). I never made this distinction, but these are two very different paths in many respects. A CEO must think a lot more about politics, pleasing people, and looking good to move up the ladder. The founder and owner, is more interested in the results of the businesses he or she is a part of.
- A students work for B students. C students run the company. D students dedicate the building.
After he spoke, I went right up to him (something I'm normally too afraid to do) and was the first person to talk with him. I gave him my book and mentioned that he was in it. Two days later, I followed up about a potential testimonial. The next day the executive director of his foundation wrote back and said I could use the following testimonial on the web site and the next edition of the book:
?I wish the ?Manifesto? had been around when I was younger. The Student Success Manifesto is an inspiration to not only students, but an entire generation!? Paul Orfalea, Founder & Chairperson Emeritus, Kinko?s Inc.
I can die a happy man now :)
Posted at January 19, 2005 04:10 AM
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On Paul Orfalea's distinction between Owner/CEO: This concept reminds me very much of what Jim Collins describes in "Good to Great" as "Level 5 Leadership"...He writes, "Level 5 leaders embody a paradoxical mix of peresonal humility and professional will. They are amitious, to be sure, but ambitious first and foremost for the company, not themselves."
It is that last point - the working toward a cause other than personal prestige - that is powerful, and which Paul also hit on.
I still have the problem and fear of approaching prominent speakers after the talk. Hopefully I'll be able to rid myself of this habit soon. Glad to see that you are growing from strength to strength.
I never fail to gather strength after reading your blog regarding personal and business conquests. =)
Hey Alvin,
Thanks for posting. I've always been hesitant to approach speakers after talks, especially larger speakers. When I did walk over, I would find that "pushy" people would get their questions answered and I wouldn't. I'd be waiting patiently and then somebody who was more assertive than me would stick out their hand or say the speakers first name and get their attention. More times than not, the speaker had to go before I got to speak with him or her.
My philosophy has changed now in that I'm willing to be a pushy person. I don't want to be rude to anybody, but I'd rather be remembered than be forgotten. Therefore, I'm more willing to err on being pushy and get my face-time than playing it safe and hoping for the perfect moment.
It seems like after doing this a few times, I barely even think about approaching people now. It's more natural.
When it comes to approaching a prominent speaker after their speech it can be a bit nerve wracking. However, one thing that I have learned over time and that my parents have always reminded me was, "The people speaking are no different from you and me. Yes, they may have achieved great things in their life and had much success, but we all have to start somewhere and for most of us it is usually the same place." Therefore, when I do approach a prominent speaker I think of that and realize they were in the same position as I am in at one time in there life, and I am not as nervous as I initially was.
Mike, I would first like to say congratulations on receiving the testimonial. It is great to have another successful entrepreneur endorse your book. Second, I know exactly how you feel when you talk about "pushy" people who are also looking to talk to the speaker after a speech and being worried about being seen as "pushy" as well. However, like you, I have learned that if I go about it in a calm and respectful way to the people around me, but still remain eager, I can also have my chance and not feel as though I may have been "rude" to another person in the process.
Thanks for your comments Patricia. Much appreciated.
