Kevin Brown: The Hero Effect

Orlando Business Podcast with Eric English

Kevin Brown, author of The Hero Effect — being your best when it matters the most

I was fortunate to spend one-on-one time with Kevin before he spoke to a group of executives. Not only is Kevin an exceptional communicator on stage, his sit-down conversations are authentic and speak straight to the heart about the things that matter most.

Kevin came from a working-class background and was a straight-A student who went through some very turbulent teenage years, dropped out of high school, and was living in his car in his early 20s. Salvation came in the form of David, his boss, mentor, and friend who inspired him to do and be better. He gave Kevin the gift of optimism. "The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence.” David also introduced Kevin to his wife, Lisa.

Kevin found his footing and had a successful career in franchise development and sales. At age 48, he left corporate American and reinvented himself as an author and speaker, spreading a message about heroes — who they are and how to be one. His message is a universal one of presence, gratefulness, being others-focused. It’s a message he delivers to C-suite executives and to cleaning crews alike. It’s a message for all of us. Each of us has been impacted by heroes, and — deep down — it’s what we all want to be for others.

The Hero Effect® is about being your best when it matters the most. And when, you may be wondering, does it matter the most? Right in this moment.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

• About Kevin’s background

• About the Hero Effect book

• How Kevin got into public speaking

• Why he decided to leave his corporate job to become a public speaker

• About Kevin autistic son, Josh

• Why Lisa and Josh are inspirations to Kevin

• Why Kevin still gets nervous before speaking to a group...and why he doesn’t want to lose those nervous jitters

• Wisdom gleaned from Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey

• Why we should rethink the concept of “outside the box.”

• Kevin’s perspective on technology and relationships

Connect with Kevin:

KevinBrownSpeaks.com

Find Kevin on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter

Mentioned in this episode:

The Hero Effect by Kevin Brown

(Un)Qualified: How God Uses Broken People to do Big Things by Steven Furtick

Monday Morning Leadership by David Cottrell

Earl Nightingale’s “The Strangest Secret” on YouTube and at Amazon

Quotes

We need people who love us enough to hold us accountable to what can be, not what is.

People reach into this past, they grab the worst of yesterday, and they drag it right to today. And they use it as an excuse for not doing well. They stay stuck.

You were born extraordinary. Heroes are extraordinary people who choose not to be ordinary.

Heroes help people...with no strings attached.

Heroes create an exception experience for the people in their lives, at work and at home.

You are no hero if the people who mean the most to you think the least of you. — Rabbi Shmuley

God doesn't give us “next” unless we master “now.”

The extra mile doesn't take much. It just takes a little bit of intentionality.

In the absence of a compelling vision, no strategy can save you.

You don't have to know all the steps, you just have to know the next one.

I'm striving to be less distracted and more present, less concerned about yesterday and tomorrow, and more focused on the connection that I have with the people around me.

If you find your purpose, you'll work harder than you've ever worked in your whole life, and you'll love every single minute of it…mostly.