I’m a big fan of Francis Kong.  He’s a business speaker in the Philippines, a well respected member of local & international business communities, a sterling member of John Maxwell’s team of management speakers.  Above all, I think he’s what I will also call “genuine”.

I had the privilege of working with this man when I was 25.  I’ve seen him handle various business transactions…  all were above board. 

I’d like to highlight one of his lectures right here, funny how he can use very simple illustrations to drive a very timeless message.  Check this short excerpt from “The Elevator”:

It was not a very good time.

I had an appointment with a potential client in one of those high rises in Ortigas and people were rushing in to their respective offices. Squeezed like sardines inside aluminum cans people were pressed to each other. A lady’s hair was right in front my face and I can smell the shampoo scent. In fact I could smell different shampoo scents as we traveled through different flight.

The thing that is so noticeable about elevator rides is that there is no talking inside. People are either looking down on their shoes or looking up at the lighted buttons. Occasionally interrupted by words like, “excuse me” as people get off their floors, that is pretty much the sight you see every time you take an elevator ride. This reminds me of a story told by Tony Campolo about his own experiences inside elevator rides.

Tony says: I seem to be particularly dangerous when I get on elevators. Our society teaches us to turn and face the doors and stand there quietly. But in my younger days, I loved to turn around and face the others in the elevator with me and say something like, “You’re probably wondering why I called this meeting.”

Once when I was in the elevator of a New York skyscraper filled with very serious- faced business people, I smiled and said, “Lighten up. We’re going to be traveling together for quite a while. What do you say we sing?” Incredibly, they did! I don’t know whether they were intimidated by me or just wanted to have some fun, but businessmen and businesswoman with attaché’ cases in hand and businesswoman in their power suits joined me in singing, “You Are My Sunshine.”

When I got off at the seventieth floor, one man got off and walked down the hall with me, wearing a big smile on his face. I asked him, “Are you going to do the same meeting I’m going to?”

“Nah, “he said.” I just wanted to finish my song.”

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