In the speaking business, we often articulate about the power and privilege of the platform. That doesn't just apply to my business; it applies to teachers, preachers, lawyers, doctors, salespeople and most especially to parents.

One of the great privileges of being in the communications business is I get to meet a lot of terrific people both on and off the platform. Over the years, I've become a student of these speaking giants. Many are household names that you would instantly recognize.

One of my earliest heroes was Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, CSP, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, winner of the prestigious "Cavett Award" and recipient of the Legends of Speaking Award.

I had the opportunity recently to have dinner with Charlie and a dozen of his closest buddies here in Orlando at the home of Giovanni Livera. Gio is a real trip all by himself. His latest book "Live a Thousand Years" is dwarfed only by his magnificent stage presence and unique message. He cleverly combines magic with proven business tactics to sell his powerful message from the platform. His lovely home, where we had dinner, is a showcase in itself. As you venture from room to room, Gio has created a majestic experience for his guests while subtly selling his powerful motivational message.

His latest venture is to create a motivational theatre complex in Orlando, where business groups can bring their folks for an unparalleled experience of motivation, magic and astonishment.

Gio and I have been part of a Mastermind Group. We get together and share ideas on how to do our business better. He was good enough to host a dinner for Charlie, who was in town to speak to a local group.

Charlie isn't in the best of health. As a fellow member of the National Speakers Association and the Veteran Speakers Retreat, I get to see him several times a year. Lately he's been battling cancer, so it was good to break bread with him.

Charlie "Tremendous" Jones passionately promotes the reading of books. His ability to quote and reference varied literature is an impressive testament to his own commitment to reading. But Charlie does an awful lot more than simply read. He advocates sharing books and the messages they offer. He practices what he preaches. Charlie gave away over 25,000 books last year.

Charlie is an entertaining humorist, and he passes along his messages with a brand of humor that endears him to audiences and makes his messages memorable.

"The heart of my life is books," he says. "My favorite saying is you are the same today you'll be in five years except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read."

I first learned of "Tremendous" Jones when I entered the life insurance business in 1974. Charlie was a speaker at a convention where I was in attendance. I recall him saying: "In 1951, my first full year in the insurance business, they made me the Man of the Year. People say, 'Boy you were really good.' And I say, no. I was the Man of the Year because everyone else had quit. I was the only one left," he chuckled.

"The point of that was that all the good guys had quit!" said Charlie. "They are still running around trying to find something in life, and I stayed committed. The secret was commitment. Some people are always quitting. It is not how things are going. I have learned you stay where you are. Don't try to get a better job, just do a better job… and then you'll have a better job!"

"Leadership is not personality, title or endowment," say Charlie. "Leadership is a price, and the price begins with ALONENESS. No one ever led in a crowd. In every area of life the world is starving for individuals who will go ahead, set the pace, or pave the way. Leadership is learning to give whether or not you get anything in return. If you ever give to get something, you're not giving; you're trading. And there's a big difference between giving and trading."

"In the beginning of life, God gives everybody an imaginary key ring," says Charlie. "Every time a person exposes himself to another situation they get another key of experience for their key ring. Soon, the key ring begins to fill with thousands and millions of keys of experience. As a person gets exposure and experience, they get to use the same keys over and over again. The law of exposure to experience gets better with the years. Finally, a person gets to know which keys unlock which doors while the inexperienced don't know if they have a key. All they can do is fumble around and hope to add another key of experience to their key ring."

What a blessing it is to have people like Charlie "Tremendous" Jones in your life.