The greatest gift Devon Harris, Leader of the Keep on Pushing Foundation, ever received was the belief that a positive attitude and a never say die philosophy would carry him farther than he could imagine. It’s with this attitude, that Devon became part of the original Jamaican Bobsled team that competed in 1988 and inspired the movie Cool Runnings! At the heart of Devon’s message are the lessons he has learned of the power of persistence over obstacles in order to live one's best life. His book, Keep on Pushing brings this message about how everyone can keep on pushing and working for their dreams every day of their professional as well as personal lives.
Let’s dive right into Devon’s incredible story and learn the keys to communication that motivates entire countries!
In this Episode:
[00:01 - 07:00] Opening Segment
- I introduce and welcome Devon Harris
- Original Jamaican Bobsled team
- Importance of authenticity and motivations
- Devon gives some background about joining the Bobsled team
- Started training at the age of 15
- Anyone can become an olympian with an extraordinary desire
- Becoming part of the team while being part of the army
- Just kept trying
[07:01 - 19:55] Communicating with Authenticity; Selling the Dream
- Devon gives insights into the communication needed within an athletic setting
- Speaking the same language
- The challenges faced
- Passing on the vital information
- Tailoring the information to different individuals
- Tips on being a good listener
- Having a loose agenda
- Listening with your heart not just your ears
- Give up trying to be impressive
- The importance of context
- The Keys to being a great leader
- Endeavor to put yourself in the other person’s shoe
- We all want to be treated as a full person
- Communicating your persistence to other people
- Selling the dream
- What you can and can’t influence
- It requires diplomacy
- Keeping up the team spirit
- You have to train and develop the other person
[19:56 - 31:50] Motivating an Entire Country
- Devon talks about the value of diversity and how to drive it
- Nature is not homogenous
- Taking cues from sports
- The person who can get the job done
- Driving social mobility
- Recognizing that different people have the ability to contribute
- The benefit of the hope of opportunity
- How Devon identifies with disadvantaged people
- Motivating people on a mass scale
- Inspiring people through a story
- Writing the book instead of reading it
- The importance of authenticity
- Something about him/her
- Devon talks about leadership from his army days
- Prepare and practice; put the work in
[31:51 - 40:10] Closing Segment
- The most impactful conversation of your life?
- Devon talks about her Grandmother
- Amazing storyteller
- Having the vision and goal
- One communication skill you wish you had more of in the past?
- To ask more questions
- The best communicator that you know?
- Michael Manley, Winston Churchill, and Nelson Mandela, JFK
- Simple way to express your thoughts
- Charisma and down to earth
- Being a visionary
- How to find Devon
- Links below
- Final Words
Tweetable Quotes:
"Keep your mouth shut, and keep your ears open… You really need to hear, as in feel, not just with your ears but with your heart.” - Devon Harris
“My philosophy is that you endeavor to put yourself in the other person’s shoe.” - Devon Harris
Resources Mentioned:
You can connect with Devon on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Visit www.devonharris.com/keep-on-pushing-foundation/ to learn more.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Join The Communication Nation and learn from others in the community. Feel free to email me at gregrice79@yahoo.com, I’d love to hear from you!
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