FT. WORTH, TEXAS — “Let’s see a show of hands: How many of you have employees who are psychos?!”
Hands shot into the air throughout the laughter-filled audience numbering more than 100.
That’s how Southwest Drycleaners Association (SDA) Cleaners Showcase 2016 keynote speaker Glenn Shepard got the immediate attention of audience members. But it was more than a speech. He amplified his message with facial expressions, voices, mimicry and loud expressions.
Energized, fiery, instantly connecting with the crowd, he dives right in with his take on employees’ bad habits, and how to win the day.
Shepard employs a meek voice to mimic an employee refusing to work when given a task: “Why do I have to?” He sheepishly says this while folding his body into a knot.
Laughter and grins erupt from the audience. Shepard straightens up. The crowd quiets.
He holds up two fingers. “All you need to know are two words.” Then loud, but slowly: “direct confrontation,” he says.
This is how you respond, he explains slowly, but with power in his voice: “Write down these following five words I am about to tell you that can save your life: ‘That is an inappropriate question!’”
The audience is knocked back in their seats but responds with laughter.
He admonishes the crowd not to reward bad behavior. “Behavior that is rewarded gets repeated,” he says. The result from a bad attitude is lost productivity.
He points out the time-wasters: employees who are hypochondriacs and only want to come to work to tell everyone how sick they are and seek attention. He speaks even faster now.
Passive-aggressive sociopaths often use indirect attacks, he continues, his voice changing inflection.
Shepard’s about to boom again. His face tightens with emotion. His teeth lock together and his voice strains: “Only when your back is turned, does the knife come out!”
The crowd is getting used to the parody and his vocal fireworks.
“Sabotage, ambush and revenge are their methods!” he says with a distinct sharpness.
Shepard stalks around the stage casually and says, “Nobody likes working with a jerk.”
He wants attendees to go back to their businesses and ask their difficult employee: “What do you want for yourself?” Personal responsibility is the solution to these excuses and complaints.
Shepard wraps up in a deep, hoarse tone: “Managers get employees to do what they are suppose to.” Then, deeper still: “Leaders get them to do more!”
He lets that phrase hang in the air and it meets a sea of agreeing faces.
“How many employers have trouble finding good employees?” Shepard asks at the conclusion. All raise their hands. He nods once, walks over and sets the mic down; that brings a standing ovation.
Audience members were overheard saying as they exited through the lobby, still buzzing, that his talk was “real-world” and “no BS.”
Walking along, one attendee turns and says, “He told it like it is.”
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].