New story I’ve been sharing with business audiences at my Lead Without a Title presentations. Legendary Hollywood agent Swifty Lazar was having dinner with a hot young starlet when he was just getting started. He wanted to wow her. And make her his client.
On a break from the meal, Swifty found himself in the men’s room with none other than Frank Sinatra. Swifty introduced himself with enormous passion and exceptional confidence. But Frank wasn’t interested. Swifty persisted and asked Sinatra to “please come and say hello to us at our table.” Sinatra said no.
But 90% of success is persevering longer than anyone thinks you have a right to persist. The best performers and the truest leaders have “Chutzpah”. Guts. Courage. Fearlessness amid their largest fears. And so our friend, the young Swifty, asked again. “Please come by and say a fast hello. It’ll only take a few seconds.” And so Sinatra said yes.
Swifty returned to the starlet. And Frank Sinatra, in full view of the entire room, walked over to Swifty’s table. “Hi Swifty,” said Sinatra, extending his hand. “Not now Frank,” replied Swifty. The starlet, duly impressed, signed on the dotted line the next day.
Keep Leading Without A Title.
P.S. Perseverance is a key element of business success. Watch my latest video on The 11 Obsessions of Remarkable Entrepreneurs.
Please add your comments below so we all can learn from you.
Tags: Chutzpah, confidence, Courage, Fearlessness, Frank Sinatra, persevering, persist, Swifty Lazar
This is an amazing story of persistence and sharp thinking also. Thank you.
What did Frank do?
WOW ! simply amazing , It reminded me of Steve jobs rule ! thanks Mr. Robin nice share ..
Funny and witty turn! That’s correct. Persisting with others does make all the difference at times. In terms of persisting to solve an issue where I am stuck, I have noticed the longer I stay put, the answers have no choice but to come.
Good one that I heard you saying in LWT presentation in Chennai..
Perseverance can open up many doors. The key thing is to never give up!!
Hi Robin,
Great story about perseverance as key factor to achieve success! I enjoyed a lot also your video in which you tell about Swifty Lazar and Frank Sinatra. I love Frank Sinatra’s music and met Frank Sinatra jr. in concert in Palermo – Sicily, where I used to live.
Anyway, I confess you that Oseola’s story is in my heart.
Thank you for sharing great stories.
Have a fab day and all the best always, especially for your live event in Toronto! (launched my rocket of desire – like Esther Hicks/Abraham says! :) )
Cheers from London UK.
Linda Lattuca
Hello Robin,
It is quite a fantastic anecdote for someone to flourish in his business.
Your story reminds me about your story on ” The old feeble woman whose husband died
and finally lived under the care of her son who later realized his mistake”.
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So what if a beggar at the traffic lights applies this attitude and lets say you really don’t have any money for them?
Dear Robin,
Thank you very much for the stories about remarkable live experience, that’s really inspiring !
Funny. I heard the same story involving Sinatra but the perpetrator was Don Rickles. Could this be an urban legend?