It is with sadness that I write today’s blog. Sadness and gratitude. I am sad having learned of the passing of Hyrum W. Smith. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know this great man. He has had a major impact on my life, both personally and professionally. He was a mentor and friend.
My first memory of Hyrum Smith is from a set of audio cassettes that accompanied my new Franklin Day Planner system that my Mother purchased for me for my birthday. I can still see myself sitting on my waterbed at age 22 listening to Hyrum’s voice, teaching me how to gain control over my life, define my values, and set goals. I was so inspired by his message that I eventually applied for and was hired to work at Franklin International Institute in 1990.
I believe Hyrum Smith is the greatest motivational speaker that I have ever seen. (And I have seen a lot of speakers.) I saw him speak many times. He truly inspired me each and every time. No matter how many times he delivered a speech, he delivered the message with passion. He believed in what he was teaching and you felt it.
Hyrum was generous. I remember him personally coming into each person’s office or cubicle and handing out bonuses and giving out certificates for a Thanksgiving turkey. He was the head of the company, yet he would personally visit each employee and express his gratitude. Years after he and I left the company, I approached Hyrum two different times for endorsements of books that I had co-authored. He was more than willing to do it and shared his encouragement with me.
Hyrum knew the concept of “paying for an employee’s hands but earning an employee’s heart.” He rallied the company around a mission of helping others and making a difference. We, as employees, were passionate about that mission and worked hard to accomplish it. He built a company that is positively unlike any other that I have worked for.
A few months ago, Hyrum was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. I had the incredible opportunity to visit with him and hear him speak two more times after his diagnosis. He reflected on life and legacy. Once again, I was inspired. Let me share of few of his last lessons:
I was touched by Hyrum’s courage and declaration of his faith. He shared his beliefs and that he was excited to be reunited with his family who had proceeded him in death and return to his Father in Heaven.
He challenged existing employees of FranklinCovey to not just show up to work but to be excited about the mission. He said, “When you show up at work you better be showing up because you want to be there, not because you have to be there. If you are showing up to work because you have to be there, you are in the wrong place. Go work somewhere else. Because that is not what we are about. What we are about is helping people become better people. And I don’t know what greater cause you can be a part of.”
Hyrum re-told the story of hearing Winston Churchill speak when Hyrum was a young man. Churchill, near the end of his life, spoke on how he hoped that he had “made a difference.” Hyrum at that time felt like a baton had been passed to him and that his mission in life was to “make a difference.” With a tear in his eye and his voice cracking… Hyrum reflected and said to the audience, “I hope that I have made a difference.”
I just want to say, Hyrum… you have made a difference. You have touched many, many, many lives. You have made a difference in my life and my family’s life. I hope to take the baton that was passed to you and continue the legacy of “making a difference.” Thank you Mr. Smith. Words cannot express…
