Really, Fully Show Up – Your Communication Tip of the Day (insight from Neil Diamond and Cory Booker)

Eighty percent of success is showing up.
Woody Allen

Neil Diamond at the game…

“Thank you, Boston!  What an honor it is for me to be here today. I bring love from the whole country.”
Neil Diamond, at the Red Sox Game

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Last week had the sad and tragic (Boston; West, Texas), and the wonderful.  We all know all about the sad and tragic, and we are pretty aware of the wonderful.  In the midst of the pain, in addition to the many acts of heroism, there were two moments that I saw — one in person, one on video — that made me respond with gratitude.  And, I was reminded of an important communication lesson.

First, I heard Cory Booker speak at the CitySquare Prayer Breakfast here in Dallas.  After the Boston bombings, before the capture of the remaining bomber, Cory Booker gave the appropriate reminder and remembrance of the losses, and the struggle of the folks in Boston near the beginning of his speech.

Cory Booker is the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey.  Known for a lot of good things, he is also the “tweeting mayor.”  So, I “live-tweeted” his presentation –a first for me.  It was fun.  I could tell you of his speaking ability – and it was of the highest quality.  He was loud and clear.  He was energetic, engaging, captivating…  He used plenty of gestures, and never had the slightest hint of a monotone.  He is a very good speaker.

But more than anything else, Cory Booker “showed up” fully.  Here he was in Dallas, at a Prayer Breakfast.  But he had read a significant portion of Larry James’ book, The Wealth of the Poor.  (Larry is the CEO of CitySquare).  He connected his remarks, time and again, to the work of CitySquare.  And he was really all in – I mean, though he gives speech after speech, he did not phone this one in.  He showed up as himself, fully.  He was terrific!

And, then, on Saturday, I saw it again.  This time, on video.  After the bombings, after the capture, the people of Boston let out a massive sigh of relief and were ready to celebrate the fact that they really are “Boston Strong.”

And then, an unexpected moment of magic…  At the Red Sox game, instead of the usual P.A. System piped-in rendition of Sweet Caroline, out on the field stepped the man himself, Neil Diamond.  I read that it was a surprise – no handlers, no agents, just Neil Diamond, at the stadium, calling up to the booth and asking if he could lead the song live from on the field.  Wisely, they said yes.

Neil Diamond just showed up.  He wanted to do his part to say “Boston is Strong.”  And I think it is safe to say that Neil Diamond showing up was another one of the reminders that Boston will in fact be strong.

Now, I’ve never been to a Boston Red Sox game in Boston.  But I have heard Neil Diamond live in four different decades (yes, four different decades!), and frequently say to any audience that will listen that there hasn’t been any good music since Elvis and Neil Diamond hit the scene. (Ok, maybe the Beatles also… — I’m an old guy…).  So this was extra special for me, and I suspect a lot of other Neil Diamond fans out there.  But, Neil Diamond fan or not, every person in that stadium certainly appreciated him for “showing up.”

(Watch the video of Neil Diamond at the game here).

Years ago, Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon were having one of their chats on the Tonight Show.  Johnny asked Ed what advice he would give to someone starting out.  He said something like this – “Say yes to every invitation you get, to every American Legion Hall, every Rotary Club, whether they will pay you or not.  Just get out there and perform.  It will make you better…”  Good advice.

So, here is the lesson.  Whenever you have an audience, you show up entirely – fully – enthusiastically.  No matter where, or when, or if it will “benefit you.”  You are there for that audience.  Give it – give them — your all.  Every time.

Show up!