Published on The Province blog, May 27, 2012
On a beautiful sunny Friday most denizens in Vancouver’s business district would be spending their lunch hour on a sun drenched patio with a celebratory chilled beer or wine. This Friday was a different story. With rays of light shining through the floor to ceiling windows of the Vancouver Convention Centre, 1,400 people gave up their cherished outdoor time for a couple of hours with Sir Richard Branson. In fact, I’m sure most would give up far more to see and hear their idol in the flesh.
The mood in the great room was convivial and buzzing with inspiration – before the program began, a couple even waltzed in the aisle. Now, that’s excitement. Or perhaps it was to impress Glee star Cory Monteith, who was dining in the crowd. Hosted by the Vancouver Board of Trade and in support of Free the Children and Virgin Unite, the sell-out Conversation with Sir Richard Branson luncheon was aimed at getting ideas brewing and inspiration flowing, and to celebrate the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s Vancouver to London service.
After watching the room indulge in a lunch of shepherd’s pie and pudding drowned in custard, a handsome server must have heard my stomach grumble and kindly (and surprisingly) placed a plate of dessert in front of me, much to the chagrin of my fellow hungry media. As I bit into my first sweet and rich morsel, Carole Taylor, Chancellor of Simon Fraser University and moderator for the evening, took to the stage with Sir Richard to begin their fireside chat.
Having my roots firmly planted in Britain, I’m always comforted by a British accent, particularly an accent that has the same soft tones as my family. Branson’s voice hit my ears with such a familiarity that I was hanging on to his every word as though he were an uncle rather than a stranger. Looking around the room as he spoke, it appeared I wasn’t the only one enraptured. Perhaps it wasn’t just the accent – he has such a welcoming aura around him that people instantly feel comfortable in his presence.
He regaled us with stories of adventure, rescue, and social responsibility, with a few dirty jokes thrown in for good measure. It was as though each of us in the audience were having a one on one conversation with him. Branson’s messages were clear:
- Be proud to say what you work at.
- Don’t do something for the money, do it because you love it.
- Beat people’s expectations in everything you do.
A man who clearly loves to dream, Branson confessed that one of his greatest strengths is fantasizing about the future, an activity that we can all learn to do. Branson himself is proof that visualization (and some action) truly does manifest dreams. A prime example is his Virgin Galactic endeavor, which will send the adventurous (and rich) into space. As I watched the promotional video, I got goosebumps and a sensation of surety that one day I too would take a great expedition into that unknown frontier. See… I’ve already started visualizing my dreams.
As the conversation came to an end, claps reverberated around the room as loud as though the mountains across the water were crumbling. Branson has lived a full existence, and listening to his accomplishments and great love of life has instilled a sense of possibility in all who heard him speak. His happiness and grand experiences are written all over his face, etched in the lines of a man who is having a love affair with life.
Lessons learned from Sir Richard Branson:
1. You only live once, live life to its fullest. The world is your oyster.
2. Create something that will make a difference and continually give back to society. It is your responsibility as a human being to take on responsibility for the world around you.
3. Success doesn’t equal boardrooms and suits. Those are a false formality that may only hinder your progress. Think outside the box and go against convention.
Image from Time.com<
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