The Art of Communication

Several years ago, at a radio conference in Los Angeles, I remember the legendary programmer, Paul Drew, was in the "hot seat" of the main session, allowing any and all questions from the audience. Before taking the first question, he shared an experience he had earlier that day.

Paul had visited the McDonald's headquarters in Los Angeles and said he was impressed with a creed that was hanging on the walls of all the stores entitled, Press On. He sincerely read the pledge and continued with the session.

The next radio mogul in the hot seat was the equally famous Pat O'Day who shared that he had visited a Kentucky Fried Chicken that day and found this message on their wall: "This week, push the mash potatoes."

Needless to say, his comment brought a roar of laughter from the crowd.

I found it interesting that both Paul and Pat successfully used two key elements of effective communication: optimism and humor.

I was reminded of the story when I recently spoke at an Optimist Club meeting and listened to their timeless creed:

Promise Yourself:

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of things and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Some things never go out of style.