He was a professional and an entrepreneur. He sought the best of everything, from his practice to the seminars that he put together. I lectured for him in various venues, including a week-long trip down the Colorado River from top to bottom. His programs were classy; he brought in top speakers, fed great food, and never interfered with my or other speakers’ philosophy. His way was to do it big and to do it right. The professionals that enrolled in his many programs came for this.
His main hobby was flying a glider; of course, I was up for that experience each time we came together. He gave me the wheel every time, and we would fly with the uplifts and the downdrafts. I loved every second of flying and his coaching me. He enjoyed what he did and what he created for others. He was definitely his own man and, no question, his own voice.
I was the prime lecturer on our trip down the Colorado River, holding a session in the morning and another in the early evening. I love to teach, and with good participation from my professional students, it’s always fun and games to me, even if the subject we discuss is heavy, as it so often is.
This is an example I will always remember. I was lecturing to a mixed bag of professionals, discussing the leadership role and that manipulation by the leader of any sort ultimately does not work and that “Behavior Modification” is a wasted technique with people close to the leader. Two psychology professors jumped to their feet and challenged me. They obviously thought differently and said so. I did not back down and challenged their belief in the process.
This was typical of what this professional did for other professionals who desired to be the best. He was a powerful presence who, nevertheless, loved dialogue.
Sy
