A former state legislator and television show host, Brown is author of the highly acclaimed book Live your Dreams, and President of his own speaking and training firm, Les Brown Enterprises, Inc. In 1992, he was selected as one of the year's Top Five Outstanding Speakers by members of Toastmasters International. This year he will be honored at the International Convention with our organization's most prestigious award for excellence in the field of communication and leadership: The Golden Gavel.

Brown epitomizes the image of a self made man. Born into poverty and abandoned by his parents when he was just six weeks old, his life has been the quintessential tale of struggle and overcoming adversity to reach self-actualization. From his youth, Brown was told that he would not amount to anything. Teachers mistakenly labeled him a "slow learner," leaving him with low self-esteem and a determination to prove them wrong. Brown knew it was not his own talent and intelligence that was missing, but rather the ability of those around hi to recognize and draw out those qualities. Thus, he has dedicated himself to helping others recognize their potential and reach higher levels of achievement.

"My mission is to get a message out that will help people become uncomfortable with their mediocrity. A lot of people are content with their discontent. I want to be the catalyst that enables them to see themselves having more and achieving more."

Here are some of Les Brown's tips for your fullest potential:

"You've Got To Be Hungry"
Brown says the main force behind his own success was his hunger to learn and passion to push himself. "If you want to make it in life, you've got to be fearless and unstoppable. You've got to make up your mind that nobody is going to stop you."

"Act The Way You Want To Be And Soon You'll Be The Way You Act"
Set a goal and believe that goal is possible. Brown says the key is to work on developing yourself - to develop a personal vision. Early in his career, Brown's dream was to be a disc jockey. So he began listening to the radio religiously, practicing techniques and mimicking announcers. Soon he got a job as a janitor in a radio station in Columbus, Ohio, and worked his way up to become a deejay and eventually a broadcast manager and commentator. "You've go to start thinking of yourself in the future and see yourself there," Brown insists.

"Practice Doesn't Make Perfect It Makes Improvement"
"We'll never hit a state of perfection, but we're always practicing improvement," Brown says.

"Develop A Larger Vision Of Yourself"
Brown reminds his audiences that they have abilities, talents and strengths they haven't even begun to reach for -- and if they don't they'll live to regret it. "We have always had leaders who say, 'I will do this for you.'" he explains. "What we have not done is turn people on to themselves, turn people on to the unlimited power they have within themselves."