Monday March 9: Regardless of the economy, Here's A Real Role Model

The times I was around him, I always stood somewhat in awe of Paul Harvey. Not because he was arrogant—he was anything but that. Nor because he was a world famous personality—he was as down to earth as anyone could be. Neither was it because he seemed aloof and unapproachable—he never gave that impression.

I and most others (some well-known people) felt a sense of awe toward him because of three things. And they were things that mattered in the days when I was growing up and the early years of my career.

Unfortunately, during the last twenty-five or so years, they are things that are under valued these days to the detriment of not only our society, but I fear to the careers of many promising young men and women who either weren’t taught the importance of these things or else they preferred to hang with the masses at the bottom or middle of the ladder of success, rather than stand alone at its top.

First, Paul Harvey had a presence that could not be overlooked in any crowd. He didn’t just amble aimlessly into a room—he walked into it in a very deliberate manner. Head held high, shoulders back, that famous smile on his face. As he approached old friends, new friends and about to become friends, he made eye contact as he extended his hand and introduced himself (as if he needed introducing). He didn’t run the gauntlet of well wishers, no, he moved slowly speaking briefly to everyone and for that moment, a person felt that he or she was the most important person in Paul Harvey’s world. He was also old school in that good manners (beyond “please” and “thank you”) were second nature with him.

Second, Paul Harvey had a professional image that commanded respect because it said “I can be trusted, I know my business”. As I was listening to one of the ABC radio tributes to him, the commentator recalled working for Mr. Harvey. As you know, those radio news and commentary programs originated from Chicago early in the morning. The commentator said that he and the rest of the staff would arrive at the station, looking disheveled, like they had slept in their clothes. At 3:30 AM, Mr. Harvey would walk in…”looking like Paul Harvey.” Which meant, freshly pressed suit, starched shirt, tie, trade mark pocket handkerchief and highly polished shoes. After mentioning this, he remarked that this said something about Paul Harvey, because only his staff would see him for at least three hours!

Third, Paul Harvey was committed to excellence. The son of a murdered Tulsa law enforcement officer, he began working at Tulsa’s KVOO radio in 1933 while still attending Central High School he believed he had a God-given potential and opportunity that he had to make the most of. And make the most of it he did. But he did it without cutting corners (or throats), he did it by making the most of every opportunity and mastering his craft, lifting it to as lofty a height as he could. He was rewarded by the 22 million people who tuned in to hear those words, “Stand by for news…”

I said I felt that there were three things about Paul Harvey that set him apart, but there was one other thing that I believe served as the foundation for those three. Paul Harvey believed in the values that made America great. He not only believed in them, he lived and practiced them, and perhaps that is why we know, “the rest of the story.”

Now, as Paul Harvey would say, “Page four…” Have a great and profitable week!
Robert Hidde