In 1989, I was blessed to be one of six speakers in an all day session in Los Angeles. One of the other speakers was Dottie Walters. Dottie Walters, along with her daughter Lillet Waters, is the author of Speak and Grow Rich, which was published in 1989.
If ever there is a person you can learn from, it is Dottie Walters. Dottie Walters presented me with a copy of her book in which she inscribed personal comments for me. The forward of the book is authored by Earl Nightingale of Nightingale Conant. The first thing you learn from Dottie Walters is shear determination. In the forward Nightingale states, “Dottie Walters just doesn’t quit. She has never quit, even back in the early days when she was just pushing a stroller with two babies in it trying to make a living selling advertising.” This is something for all of us to internalize, the aspect of persevering to the completion of a project or process.
Another thing that became evident as the day of speaking progressed was when Dottie Walters spoke she was herself. She did not try to be a speaking machine. She was just being herself and she came across very well. She was genuine and interacted very well with her audience and her audience interacted very well with her.
The third thing to learn from Dottie Walters is the aspect of having the right person in the right job. Dottie Walters has owned several businesses, one with 400 employees. A lady who was talkative and not fit for the business or job she was in came in to work for Dottie Walters. She placed the lady in the position of interacting with customers on the phone. The woman became a great strength for Dottie’s business. Placing each employee where they best fit is the key to having a stronger business.
Determination, being genuine and in the right job can allow you to present yourself well and contribute toward the success of a person and a business.
Garry Haggart, CPC, is a management, marketing and performance development consultant and facilitator. He can be reached at 661-259-2530.