Our Interview with CNN's Larry King

I recently had the pleasure of having dinner with Larry King and getting a "behind the scenes" look at his CNN show "Larry King Live". Larry was kind enough to talk about his success, life balance, and patterns that he has noticed in successful people.

Larry had wanted to be in broadcasting since he was a young boy. Many well-meaning people around him tried to talk him out of his "pipe dream". In his best thick accent Larry tells the story of his uncle who offered him a job in his company. "Who do you think you are that you should be on the radio?" was the uncle's response. Fortunately, Larry had something deeper inside that told him that he was going to pursue his dream, no matter what.

Eventually, Larry got his big break. On May 1, 1957 he was put on the air. Larry had been hanging around this Miami Beach radio station for weeks despite being told that there were no openings (he had a vision and was tenacious enough to keep with it). Moments before going on the air, he was told that he had to change his name from Larry Zeiger to something "less ethnic". Thanks to an ad he saw for King's Wholesale Liquors in the Miami Herald that day, he became Larry King.

So his big day arrived, the music comes on and then fades and Larry is ready to announce himself to the world, and nothing. Nothing came out of his mouth. He tried to talk, but the words would just not come out. He tried raising and fading the music several times to regain his composure, but still he could not speak. Larry relays it best, "So, I'm sitting there thinking to myself that maybe I just did not have the guts to do this job, when the general manager of the radio station kicked open the door to the control room and said, 'This is a communications business!' and stormed out. What I did at that moment gave me freedom to go on. I told the truth."

Larry went on to describe how he was honest with the audience about his nerves, and his name change, and how he had always wanted to be on the air. He even told them what had happened with the general manager. Then he was free to go on. He felt in control again. The audience was now in his shoes and if he got nervous again he would just let them know.

Too many times when people fail or make mistakes, they run and hide in shame. He and I agreed that successful people own their mistakes and face their weaknesses rather than burying themselves under a rock. When in doubt, just be honest. He went on to talk about many powerful people who fail to go as far as they could because they just can't be themselves. They keep trying to live up to an image of what they should be rather than embrace who they are.

I continued to ask Larry about other patterns that he has noticed in successful people. Here are a few of his responses:

Successful people are decisive

Larry shared, "You never hear Ted Turner say, 'I'll get back to you on that after a committee looks at it'. Ted either tells you that it is a great idea or he tells you 'no'. He is one of the most decisive men I have ever met." Larry went on to talk about the fact that Mr. Turner surrounds himself with capable people who can deal with the more detailed tasks, but that Ted Turner's strength is his ability to decide and decide quickly. While others are forming task forces and holding meeting after meeting, Ted Turner goes for it!

Successful people harness their minds

Larry told a great story of classic comedian Jackie Gleason, who strongly believed that your personal power comes from your belief in your personal power. He talked of how some people are actually very capable and talented, but because they do not believe it, they will fail. Larry gestured to his head, "Jackie use to say, 'it's all up here'."

Successful people have a vision

"All successful people have a vision", Larry stated. He used Bill Clinton as an example. Former President Clinton had a singular desire to become president. And despite his many challenges he stayed true to that vision". Larry stated that he has never seen an extremely successful person who did not have that kind of vision.

Successful people don't work

"I've never worked a day in my life. The only work is getting from place to place. Once the light is on, I'm not working." stated Larry. I agreed with him that most successful people have an incredible passion for what they do, and the "job" feels more like a blessing than "work". Even after forty plus years in broadcasting, he still talked about his career like that young boy who had a dream of being on the radio.

I also asked Larry a few personal questions.

Success

Dr. Tim: When did you know that you were successful?

Larry King: "I think it was when I won the Peabody award that I first realized it. All of the Hall of Fame entries helped out too."

Stress

Dr. Tim: Do you ever get stressed out?

Larry King: Big stress doesn't bother me, it is only the little stress like traffic."

Dr. Tim: Why do you think that is?

Larry King: I'm not sure, but big stress is much easier to handle.

Dr. Tim: Could it have anything to do with the little stresses being mundane?

Larry King: Absolutely, I hate the mundane.

Life Balance

Dr. Tim: What has been the most important lesson to you about life balance?

Larry King: For years my family was not the priority. If I got a call from CNN and a call from my wife at the same time, I would always take the call from CNN. Now, when they both want me, I take the call from my wife.

In Closing

The thing that stood out most to me about Larry King was that he was a wonderful storyteller who has experienced significant events in human history. For example, he told a story of sitting on steps with Martin Luther King, Jr. after Dr. King was the victim of obvious prejudice. Larry asked him in this vulnerable moment what he wanted. Dr. King's response was "My dignity". He does hilarious imitations of Mel Brooks and Danny Kay. His story about bumping into John F. Kennedy's car and having to promise to vote for him rather than exchange insurance company information, allowed me to get a sense of what JFK was like. Larry King has experienced our country.

In my role as an executive coach, I have the pleasure of meeting many powerful people who impact the world. I work with these executives to help them live conscious and proactive lives, both in being and in performing. It is always a pleasure to meet someone who knows who he is. Larry struck me as a kind man and generous man. He knows who he is ("I like control") and accepts himself despite imperfections. His staff at CNN were all gracious, friendly, and wonderful hosts. Larry King had a vision. He wanted to be a broadcaster and to impact the world. He had the tenacity to go after what he wanted and he continues to work to perfect his art.

If you want to live a proactive and conscious life, then a coach can help. Don't let anyone talk you out of pursuing what you are meant to do.

Timothy E. Ursiny, Ph.D.

Special thanks to Larry King for his time, company, and permission to put this on the Advantage Coaching & Training, Inc. website.