I’m not sure exactly what grade I was in. Probably the 6th or 7th grade. I was studying American history, including Teddy Roosevelt.
The famous slogan, as you probably remember from your own studies, was “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
I loved that. Even at 12 or 13 years old, I loved it. It was not only perfect, but it was everything I had imagined. The opportunity to be clear and concise, powerful, but not over-bearing.
About two years ago, I was listening to a friend who was exceptionally bright in infomercial direct response. You had to listen very closely to what he had to say because he spoke very quietly and never enunciated his words. However, if you didn’t listen, you were foolish. Everything he had to say was right on the mark. He was bright. Intelligent. Astute. And very apropos.
He didn’t have to scream, it didn’t matter. If you listened, fine. If you didn’t it was your life, so…he said what he said, and it didn’t matter if you abided his opinion.
I was speaking to a person whom I have respected for 20 years. I have practiced law with him for 15 years. And I have often represented his own personal business interests over the past 10 years. He was giving me advice. He never—ever—accentuates his language. It is 100 percent monotone. He tells me what he tells me and nothing more.
But I listen to every word!
Why? Because Jack speaks softly and carries a big stick. He always has. He doesn’t have to compete because it doesn’t matter. He cares, but he also respects the fact that it is your life. If you listen, so be it. If you don’t so be it. He has no ax to grind and no agenda to promote.
He is a man after my own heart!
He cares, but he also realizes that each of us has to live his own life. He’ll give you his opinion, softly and respectfully. You’d better listen. He cares what happens to you, but he also realizes we all have to make our own mistakes.
You’ll rarely hear him utter a negative word about any person. He’ll focus on himself and you and give you his opinion when it is called for. But he won’t press, and he won’t offend.
Don’t get confused. The people who scream the loudest most often have the least to say. And those who focus energy on the negative about others almost always have the least to contribute themselves.
Speak softly and carry a big stick. It may not have as much sizzle, but it sure has a whole lot more meat.
Original writing date: October 1999