Special Smashwords Edition
The Hummingbird Effect
A
Journey to Confidence
By
Bob Danzig
Also by Bob Danzig
Shakespeare Lives on Cape Cod (and Everywhere Else!)
Angel Threads - Inspirational Stories of How Angels Weave the Tapestries of our Lives
Conversations with Bobby - From Foster Child to Corporate Executive
Every Child Deserves A Champion - Including the Child Within You!
The Leader Within You - Master 9 Powers to Be the Leader You Always Wanted to Be
There is Only One You - You are Unique in the Universe
Vitamins for the Spirit - A Collection of Insights to Enrich Your Every Day
The
Hummingbird Effect: A Journey to Confidence
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Copyright © 2011 by Bob Danzig. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.
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Cover designed by KVH Graphic Design, Mashpee, MA
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Visit the author's website at http://bobdanzig.com
ISBN 978-1-937698-01-0 (eBook)
Version 2011.11.30
Dedication
To my precious #2 daughter, Marsha, who ignited the notion of the Hummingbird Fable when she shared her bubbling zest for the return of the hummingbirds to her backyard feeder,
To my #4 son Steve, whose life is testimony to the Hummingbird Spirit and shared Dr. Steven Farmers’ Animal Spirit book with me, and
To my other children, Mary Beth, Darcy, Matthew whose lives exude the beauty and uniqueness of the hummingbird, and
To my beautiful Dianne whose lovely fingertips held the brush to capture the cover look of Lance and Lilly.
Finally, a huge hats off to Annie Taber, the multitalented Cape Cod presence who so caringly ‘babysat’ me through this first digital e-book effort.
A parade of ‘thanks’ to each of you.
About the Author
Bob Danzig grew from his five-foster homes background to office boy at his local newspaper, the Albany (N.Y.) Times Union. He moves up the ladder at the Times Union and eventually became its publisher, before then moving on to two decades as CEO of The Hearst Newspaper Group and vice president of The Hearst Corporation.
Now a published author and a Speakers Hall of Fame inspirational speaker, he is also a member of the teaching faculty at the prestigious New School University and is the leading hand guiding the Hearst Management Institute. His goal is to be an instrument for renewed affirmation that every single person is worthwhile.
The Hummingbird Effect
A
Journey to Confidence
Foreword
It was an unexpected phone call from my friend Walter Anderson, president and editor of Parade Magazine that reached across America in Sunday newspapers.
“I have a rare opportunity which I would offer only to you,” he said.
I suggested he slow down since that phrase usually meant someone was seeking something FROM ME - not for me.
Walter quickly added, “This one is absolutely for you.”
I asked him to tell me more.
Walter explained that some years ago he had finished his first draft of a new book titled “The Confidence Course.” He concluded that he needed to validate his ideas about building confidence by teaching adults at the New School University in New York City.
He said he taught the course for several years, witnessed the effect of his ideas on hundreds of adult students and had then gone ahead with the book.
He had field-tested his ideas and knew they worked. Now he had a conflict that impeded his ability to teach the course scheduled to begin in a few weeks.
His call to me, he said, was the only call he would make to invite a substitute professor to teach his course for that semester.
“Bob Danzig,” Walter purred, “is the only person I would trust my precious course to.” And he added, “I know you will find great satisfaction in teaching the course.”
I responded that I had zero experience as a professor, knew nothing about his course and could very well end up reducing the confidence of his students rather than lifting it.
Walter laughed, told me he would send me a copy of his book by messenger, asked that I read it and only agree to meet the next Monday for dinner. At that time, he added, “you can decide whether to teach the course or not, and I will respect your wishes.”
I received the easy-to-read book and took it with me on a flight to speak in Hattiesberg, Mississippi. I finished reading the book on the flight. When I turned the last page, I said to myself, “This can be a BIG IDEA.”
I retrieved my luggage, sat down in a plastic chair at the small airport and constructed a business plan embracing the principles in Walter’s book.
I framed a speaking theme about “Tools for Confident Leaders” as well as another idea to develop Confidence Clubs for every middle and high school in the nation and another idea to some day author my own book, a fable that would embrace those confidence-enhancing “tools” all after I experienced the effectiveness of this approach to increasing confidence.
Thus I began to teach the course and witness personally the value of these “tools” for the students. When I met Walter for dinner the next Monday, I handed him my idea extensions and told him I would indeed teach the course, but only because I had a large vision for its possibilities.
Off I went to the University, stumbled a bit before finding my own natural rhythm as “professor” and then saw with absolute certainty the value of these tools to enhance the life of every adult student. I taught the course for seven years and created a speaking theme that I have done for various groups throughout the nation. I began a dialogue with a national youth organization about the prospect of Confidence Clubs in the school system.
Now, finally, I am at the Fable, and I hope that the mechanism of it can lubricate the application of the “tools” to enhance the confidence of every reader.
An early discovery in teaching the class was the pattern of issues that chill confidence for many. They included tools to:
Have more successful conversations
Worry well
Reduce shyness
Better handle mistakes and risks
Better give and take criticism
Tell a story
Make an effective speech
Gain insights about audiences
The Hummingbird Fable emerged as a result of a conversation with my second daughter, Marsha, who called me in great excitement because the hummingbirds had returned to her Massachusetts home feeder. She described the beauty of the birds and the hardships they endured to travel from Central America back to their summer homes. She described aspects of their tiny lives and, as I sensed her excitement, it came to me that I would call my Fable The Hummingbird Effect. And now …