The power of a voice, hope, and second chances

If you have even only peeked at the media over the past two days you have surely stumbled upon the Ted Williams story this week. I first saw the video of Ted Williams via Digg and Reddit before it turned into one best feel-good stories of the year (so far). At first I was going to put the link on my other blog, but this inspiring story actually does relate very well to many aspects of presentation. It first begins with this amateur video shot by a young man in Ohio. Watch the video.

Like everyone else, I was  blown away by Williams's golden radio voice. That first line out of his mouth was very unexpected and made me laugh with amazement. Wow. His voice is a natural talent, obviously, but he has worked on it as well he says. But what is the most interesting thing to me — and is frankly a large part of the reason the whole nation took to this gentleman and wanted to either hire him or see him do well — was the short interview included in the video that he did right there next to the freeway, where he essentially told his story. In that short clip he told his story with naturalness, honesty, and brevity. "Wait a minute," you say to yourself as you listen to Mr. Williams speak, "this man has an incredible speaking voice and he speaks with great clarity and a humble yet emotional tone that is very down-to-earth and human." You say to yourself, "This is a smart man with a very marketable talent, why is he homeless?" Without going into detail he tells us why in a way that most people can relate to (alcoholism derailed my own father's life and eventually killed him when he was just 48). In that very short interview Ted Williams does something most politicians and media stars rarely do, which is to just tell it like it is with heart, honesty, and clarity. His great talent *plus* his clarity of speaking and general likability which he projects so naturally is a large part why he is getting his huge break.

The video goes viral and the story grows
Williams started receiving many invitations from media outlets like CNN and CBS, etc. Below you can see an emotional Ted Williams being interviewed on the CBS Early Show in New York (he was in Ohio). You can't help feeling good for this guy; when he talks about his mother, well, I almost lost it myself. Watch it on YouTube or below.

Cinderella story
Well, thanks to the power of the speed-of-light media today, in a 24-hour span Ted Williams goes from "homeless man" to a job offer to work full time for the NBA's Cleveland Cavilers organization, and gets a house on top of that. An amazing story! At the 3-minute mark of his radio appearance yesterday you'll get to hear the whole thing unfold. Listen on YouTube or below.

Things are not always as they appear
After college and a stint in Peace Corps, I managed a homeless shelter for men in Oregon. I was about 25 or 26 at the time. It was then that I learned that my preconceived notions of homelessness were far too simplistic. The issue is not black and white. Every man who I interviewed who needed assistance had his own unique story about how he fell on hard times and had no place to go or no one in which to turn. Lots of sad stories. Usually it was a matter of bad choices or bad luck, but the men themselves, with very few exceptions, were not bad by any means. It's easy to forget, as we look away, that the "homeless guy" on the street corner is just a fellow human being. In Japan we have the famous story of Kaneto Kanemoto who spent two years homeless sleeping on park benches and scavenging through bins at convenient stores in Tokyo. While homeless he had the idea of starting a new kind of internet company. Today he is CEO of that company which is worth millions called OKWave, and he is a very successful and respected business leader. Yet how many people looked at him during his homeless days as being pathetic or worthless? Things are not always as they appear. In any event, I hope you will forgive me for this little digression. But I just thought that this is a great story in which to start off the new year. No matter how bad things may be, if you believe in yourself and never give up, great things may be just around the corner. 頑張ってください!

Comments

[Charles Martineau]

I heard about this story late last night and I, like everyone, I was blown away. I live in a part of Montreal where is very lively but where there is a lot of homeless people. I will not look at them from now on the way I used too. No matter what is the reason behind why they live in the street I am sure they all have an hidden gem of talent.

[maç izle]

thanks alot i liked it

[Fresno Criminal Defense Attorney]

what an amazing voice! Good luck to you

[CPA Exam Review]

I heard this story just this morning on our local news here in Tampa. This guy's story, although a bit tattered, is inspirational and I wish him all the luck.

Hopefully he will use his newfound success by helping others get off the street!

He'd be great with NFL Films, by the way.

[Polatlı]

Good post. I like to read your posts. well written. thank you.

[Network Sommelier]

Amazing story but only possible through social media and the internet. Wish him all the best. Thanks for sharing this and all the other great stuff Garr.

[Devremülk]

Nice post. I love it. Waiting your new posts. Thank you...

[Andreas]

Nice Story..... Just about today the guy made it today into spiegel.de. So in the meantime the story jumped over the Atlantic. Thumbs up.

[Félix Arenas]

Garr, thank you for bringing this up. Some of us have a low tolerance for internet viral video. Too much cutesey fluff out there to waste time on. If it had not been here I would have never listened to the whole story. The people in Cleveland truly have a wonderful organization in the Cavaliers. Again, thanks for highlighting the power of one person making a difference.

[Make Money on the Internet]

This shows that Internet can bring many possibilities for people. There is always a second chance when one wants to do it.

I am happy for Ted. This is an amazing story as a new year rolls around.

This should also teach many others out there that are trying, not necessarily the homeless, but for all that wants to do something and make money, there are many ways. Turn to the Internet.

[Tara Fagan]

A great insightful story for the New Year. Best wishes to Ted. Life is what one makes and we can all change. Thanks for sharing Garr, being in New Zealand, I am not sure I would have heard of it otherwise.
Kia Ora,
Tara

[Penny Auctions]

This is a great story, I'm really happy that the media picked it up. This homeless man deserved to be reunited with his family.

[istanbul profilo servisi]

Your blog looks good, have a nice day.

[canlı sohbet]

This shows that Internet can bring many possibilities for people. There is always a second chance when one wants to do it.

[maç oyunları]

Thanks for sharing Garr, A great insightful story for the New Year. Best wishes to Ted. Life is what one makes and we can all change.

[Insurance discounts online]

That was good to watch.. more people should see it..

[bhp warszawa]

very interesting article, i always want to write my own blog
regards

[Mike Parkinson]

What an inspiring story for the New Year! Thank you for sharing.

[Luxivore]

Actually, most homeless men (and most homeless people are men) are on the streets entirely because of their own actions, NOT because of some random 'bad luck'.

I have worked assessing homeless people for a few years now and in the UK, almost without exception they are homeless because they are drug addicts, alcholics or violent - these are the reasons that these people lost their homes; i.e. it was entirely their own fault.

Sometimes they are just stupid (with various reasons for not paying their rent which you or I just wouldn't fall foul of) and sometimes, they have mental health problems such that they are just unable to cope with the complexities of modern life and end up on the street because there is no one to look after them. People who fall into this category though are the definite minority.

So don't feel that sorry for these people. 99% of them are there because they would rather get drunk or high than pay their rent or liked to beat up their wives or children. Serves them right.

[Video]

it was very interesting to read this pages.
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can. .

[memory foam mattress topper]

Too bad that it seems that Mr. Williams fell back in the wagon and is now on rehab... it was on Dr. Phil where he decided to go.

[taobao]

too cold the day for this year, really.

[vanzari masini online]

It is a great person. He did so much for the community and now the community from which he should repay the effort. We must not forget what he did and have supported this effort.

[cocaine withdrawal symptoms]

Information is good, but the lack of running search all ports and complexity. as if it was not much for a wonderful site.

[designer clothing]

The power of voice and second chances is the most precious thing in the world. Too bad people don't appreciate that

[distance learning universities]

This is a story of how you cannot judge the homeless man on the street. This is story that shows that we all deserve a second chance to prove ourselves. Great for him!

[Taobao in English]

I just get all worked up , and I stew around!

[agent taobao]

I just get all worked up , and I stew around!

[Online taobao]

the day you went away