My first encounter with Hugh “Goldie” Gouldthorpe was at a Cultural Competency Workshop in Virginia. He was the lunchtime speaker. I have always pitied the person who had to compete with the clinking of silverware, the restlessness of people trapped in an all-day seminar (noon meal included, oh boy!), the post-nourishment fatigue, and the feeding frenzy itself. No one really listens to the lunch-time speaker. Until Goldie.
Goldie burst onto the catered scene with an exuberance and garrulousness that did not permit him to be ignored. His booming voice, energy and sense of humor commanded that room. Goldie is a motivational speaker, author, and teacher of successful leadership, customer service and quality management. His business card states that he is “Head Cheerleader” but he is also known as the senior vice president of quality and communications at Owens&Minor, a medical/surgical supplier and Fortune 500 Company in Glen Allen, Virginia.
His presentation was fast-paced, with a PowerPoint of cartoons and very short sayings. He likes the phrase “Keep it Simple and Sincere” and for the lunch crowd this strategy worked. He told amusing stories about companies and people with whom he has worked in the past. His delivery and timing were brilliant and he left us wanting more at the end. Therefore, once I returned home, I purchased his two books, I’ve Always Looked Up to Giraffes (2002) and How to Make a Giraffe Smile (2004).
In I’ve Always Looked Up to Giraffes, Goldie theorizes that great leaders are comparable to giraffes. They stand above the crowd, everyone looks up to them, they can reach the sweetest fruit, they have good vision, they listen with compassion, they are friendly, the are not afraid to stick their necks out, they move competently, they are tireless, perceptive and they do not blend in with the crowd. In addition, giraffes are competitive and are able to kick in four different directions!
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