College Boys in Cabo...and me

I've been blessed by many unique experiences in my speaking career and this one rates at the top. I was giving a speech to a Vistage group in Chicago and a member, Greg Wittistock, owner of Aquascapes, invited me to speak at the American Leadership Academy in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Greg was a fraternity brother of Phi Kappa Psi and Jerry Nelson, the founder of Ticketmaster was also in that fraternity. Jerry believes that alot of his success in life was due to what he learned during his fraternity years, the life skills that they don't teach in the classroom.He built a magnificent compound on the beach in Cabo with a hotel for the boys and spectacular homes for the invited guest teachers. He invites 700 boys each year from colleges all over the country that belong to his fraternity to spend a week during spring breaks from February-April.

I had never spoken to college boys who would obviously be sleepy, hungover and not totally present in the morning when they were required to show up for classes or be sent home. This expense paid hotel and food requirement is attendance at all the classes offered. Classes such as "dress for success" (no, I didn't teach that one:-), "how to go on an interview" and my signature speech on quality of life, a Balancing Act: Walking the Tightrope of Life".

I bought a special "hip" outfit at Guess, I went to the music store (remember those?) grabbed a young looking sales clerk, dragged him to "his music" section and I stood there glazing at groups I never heard of. I told him to pick one, he did and I was armed and dangerous to face my toughest audience ever.

I had a glorious week in Cabo with the most unbelievable house on the beach, I had dinner every night with all the boys even ventured into Cabo one night to party with them. I was very fortunate to meet and hang out with someone who had been part of the experience before, Kurt Harrington who gave me the wildest midnite dune buggy ride on the beach and we have remained friends ever since. His company Something Fishy is in RI.

My speech was a hit and the boys responded better than expected. They started out as a challenge and wound up being one of the best audiences and the most rewarding that I ever had. Jerry Nelson is making a difference in all these boys lives and I had the privilege of being part of that difference. Isn't that what it's all about?