If you could have any skill in the world, what would you pick and why?
That question became the topic of conversation at Chick fil A as our family played the table topics game from a kids meal when this card was pulled:
The question stopped me in my tracks because ironically, we had just attended an event where Mr. Jim Downing, 103-year old survivor of Pearl Harbor, shared his experiences communicating life’s ideas. I decided to delve into the question further, asking myself ‘What is the ONE skill that is the MOST important to train you for a lifetime of influence?’
Jim Downing exuded the confidence of a life lived on purpose. He had mastered the art of communication and he modeled some amazing principles worth learning when it comes to connecting a message to your audience.
Start BIG
Lots of folks sort of wander into their messages with all sorts of preliminary greeting. Jim Downing rode up in his electric chair and invited two students from the Naval Academy up to the platform to stand by his side, instructing one of them to help him take off jacket off. As the student proceeded to take the jacket off, Jim’s ARM FELL OFF…well, the fake arm prop he’d stuck in his jacket anyway. Immediately people laughed and sat forward in their seats, probably all wondering the same thing as I, “Did this old guy really just pull a practical joke?” Yes, he did, because he didn’t have just any ordinary message to share.
Know your message.
Jim spoke confidently without any hesitation, sharing his story in an easy manner with a fun, conversational tone. It was clear Jim Downing had communicated his ideas and stories many times over to many audiences! He spoke on how to be secure in all your relationships — with God, yourself and others. He related how his meditation practice and time quoting scriptures became words flowing out of his own heart. I witnessed a living example of Matthew 13:52 — Every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old. We truly experienced a treasure from his storehouse of timeless truth and practical experience.
Ideas never matter more than your audience.
The heart he felt for others was evident not only in his humourous start, but in the way Jim involved the audience during our time together. He spoke clearly without notes, maintaining eye contact, and wrapped his ideas in great stories with a warm, smiling energy. I was amazed that he had so much energy for a 103-year old! I was particularly touched as he talked about making life count, especially as he enjoyed his longevity while others his age suffered greatly.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the ability to connect to people with life changing messages is an influential skill and clearly one still possible even at 103 years of age. Decide for yourself what one skill you’d like to start implementing and see just how many people you can influence! If you’re stumped on ideas, feel free to head over to your local Chick fil A to see what ideas you can spark around one of their tables!
