Come On Down
October 22, 2009
Johnny Olson, announcer of The Price is Right, is a great example of how to truly enjoy your work and how to motivate others.
Getting a group of people excited and motivated can be an extremely difficult thing to do, especially on those days when it’s difficult just getting yourself excited about going to work.
There was one man who was a master of motivation, the legendary Johnny Olson who was the original announcer for the TV game show The Price Is Right.
Johnny was involved in broadcasting from its inception, hosting radio and television programs throughout the formative years of these two broadcast media. But he is best remembered for his work announcing the shows and warming up the studio audience for the popular Goodson-Todman game shows of the 60s and 70s. Those of you who are old enough will remember his enthusiastic trademark lines:
“Let’s all play ‘What’s My Line!’” “Get ready to match the stars!” and, of course “Come on down! ”
Before each show, he would enter the studio dancing to a classic Motown song, hand out various prizes, and have the audience in a frenzy – standing and clapping within minutes. He won over the crowd instantly so that the audience would be wildly cheering before the show even started.
Once the show began, Johnny continued to demonstrate his expertise. He meticulously prepared for every show by studying the names of the contestants, and by reading and re-reading the descriptions of each prize to be awarded on the show. He would mark up the copy with notes on tone, inflection, pitch, and speed.
Johnny Olson embedded all the components of excellence – dedication, preparation, and enthusiasm throughout his 60-year career in broadcasting. He was able to perform at the highest levels of his chosen field because he truly loved his work.
Are you excited about the work you do? Do you spread this excitement to others with whom you work? Take a look at how you face work each day, find the parts of your job that you particularly like, and then “come on down” to work with a great attitude that will make you and your team even more successful.
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