America
American Personal Development Experts
Jim Rohn
America Author, Speaker, Philosopher and Self Help Expert
( September 17, 1930 – December 5, 2009 )
Emanuel James Rohn was born in Yakima Washington where he lived and worked on a farm. Rohn was quite intelligent finishing near the top of his class in high school. Rohn went on to college but he dropped out after only a few semesters in order to get a job, the idea of having money was too appealing to keep him in school.
In 1955 Rohn was working as a clerk at a Sears when he was approached by a man named John Shoaff. Shoaff held an executive level position at a Multi Level Marketing company named Nutri-Bio Corporation.
Shoaff explained to Rohn that he could begin building an organization of distributors that would sell vitamins and nutritional supplements and he explained, there is some pretty good money in it. Rohn was desperate to find a way to build wealth and within a few years at the age of 31 Jim Rohn was a millionaire.
A friend was so impressed at Rohn’s rags to riches story that he invited Rohn to tell his story at a Rotary Club meeting. The talk went very well and others invited him to tell his story at their clubs and events. One of the worlds greatest speakers was born. Rohn began giving speeches on personal growth and entrepreneurship.
Rohn went on to have an exceptional career authoring 17 books and audio productions. Rohn passed in 2009, I was at a seminar in Anaheim, CA hearing a speech from one of Rohn’s proteges, Darren Hardy (Publisher of Success Magazine) when I heard the news of Rohn’s passing. Jim Rohn will be missed he is truly one of the greats.
Dale Carnegie
American Author and Lecturer
(1888 – 1955)
Dale Carnegie (no relation to Andrew) is best known for his classic book on personal development and professional development “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. How to Win Friends and Influence People was originally published in 1936. The premise of the book is based in Carnegie’s belief and teachings that the outcome of interaction between two humans can bealtered, based on how one reacts verbally and physically to the other.
The book is very well written; Dale Carnegie understood that stories bypass the conscious mind and the book is very memorable due to Carnegie’s ability to attach a story from his life to each principle. Carnegie also knew that public speaking is the “shortcut to distinction” (as he put it) and one of his other literary accomplishments is “Public Speaking and Influencing Men in Business” originally published in 1913.
Dale Carnegie training still exists today. More than 6,000,000 people have attended his courses since 1910. The essence of his course is:
- Building Self Confidence
- Strengthening People Skills
- Enhancing Communication Skills
- Developing Leadership Skills
- Improving Attitude
John C Maxwell
American Author, Speaker and Minister
( November 1, 1935 – )
John Maxwell has published over 60 books most of which concentrate on the topic of leadership. John Maxwell speaks to and trains many of the Fortune 500 Companies you know. Two of my favorite books written by Maxwell are “Failing Forward, Turning Your Mistakes into Stepping Stones to Success” published in 2000 and “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” pic published in 1998. I also enjoyed “How Successful People Think” published in 2009. Maxwell has an ability to tell a story and drive home a point unlike any other. I have had the opportunity to see him speak live and he is incredibly engaging in that format as well.
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
American Author and Motivational speaker
(1898 – 1993)
Dr. Norman Peale was most known for his book “The Power of Positive Thinking” originally published in 1956. Peale is credited with coining many quotes. Perhaps the most famous is “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. He is also known for the quote “empty pockets never held anyone back, only empty head and empty hearts can do that”. Ronald Reagan awarded Peale the “Presidential Medal of Freedom” in 1984, the Medal of Freedom is the highest medal awarded to civilians.
Benjamin Franklin
American Inventor and Statesman
(January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790)
Ben Franklin needs no introduction. Franklin made every attempt to live by a code of conduct he called the 13 virtues. He originally wrote the 13 virtues at the age of 20 in 1726.
They are as follows:
- “Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
- “Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
- “Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”
- “Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
- “Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.”
- “Industry. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.”
- “Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”
- “Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
- “Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
- “Cleanliness. Tolerate no un-cleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.”
- “Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
- “Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.”
- “Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”
Franklin didn’t attempt to follow all of these rules all at once. He devised a plan where he would only follow one a week and let the others sort themselves out. Franklin did not live completely by his virtues and by his own admission, he fell short of them many times, he believed the attempt to live by them and being aware of them at all times made him a better man contributing greatly to his success and happiness. In his autobiography Franklin wrote, “I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit.”
Are you ready to develop your number one asset,
Your People? For any company to grow, first the people
within the company must grow.
Contact me for more information.