Bert Decker of Decker Communications recently attended a conference with Rick Warren as a speaker and, in a recent blog post, shares the following nuggets and observations about Warren’s lecture:

• Owning The Space - Rick Warren just “is.” He never postures, does not give a speech in the usual sense, and has no affectations (except often wearing Hawaiian shirts, but it was a polo shirt this time.)  He just communicates and goes where the spirit leads him. (While being extremely focused.) For example, when he was introduced he immediately said, “It’s such a beautiful day it’s a shame to waste it - let’s take our chairs and go outside (next to the ocean.)” And 150 men picked up their chairs and sat in the sun and listened (with awe) to Rick speak without a microphone. (He has a great, natural, strong voice by the way.)
• Celebrities vs. Heroes - Rick said we need fewer celebrities and more heroes. Celebrities sacrifice to gain success for themselves. Heroes sacrifice for others.
• Get a Coach - He said you’ll never get so successful that you don’t need a coach. No successful person would think of not having a coach. (Look at athletes - all the pros have coaches, and they also get video feedback!) He also mentioned three coaches he has, who are his mentors. Everyone should have a mentor and be a mentor.
• Quotes - Einstein said (paraphrased,) “You can be brilliant, but if you can’t explain it simply, it doesn’t matter how brilliant you are.” And Alvin Toffler, “In a world of rapid change people need islands of stability.”
• Focus - The secret of a successful life is focus.
• Persistence - A mushroom grows to maturity in 6 hours. An oak grows to maturity in 60 years. What do you want to be, a mushroom or an oak?
• Also - no notes, no PowerPoints - but he kept everyone in rapt attention for two hours.