Comedian Bill Crosby discusses success with conference delegates

Actor and comedian Bill Cosby took a break from his usual slapstick routine yesterday, getting down to business with the more than 1,000 in attendance at the "Success 1995" conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. "My father always used to say, 'have fun but respect the future'," Cosby recalled. With these words in mind, he set the theme for the afternoon, encouraging audience members to never lose sight of their dreams. A native of Philadelphia, Cosby returned to the City of Brotherly Love to speak about success to the assembled delegates. The convention was geared toward individuals interested in learning strategies for business and personal success. Cosby began his speech with an anecdote from his youth, describing a race he ran in as an eight-year old in elementary school. He explained that as the slowest of the four participating runners he was so scared when his turn came that he closed his eyes and ran without seeing where he was going. Needless to say, Cosby failed to win the race. But all was not lost. Cosby remembered the inspirational words of his coach at the time, who told him, "Don't anticipate and don't look up --but when you feel a tap, you go." That advice, Cosby explained, gave him the feeling that he would be prepared when the more important races of life were upon him. He went on to discuss success and the workplace. "We don't talk enough to people below us," Cosby said. "Who knows more about a company than the person who cleans the trash basket? It's those kind of people you have to grab when you want the inside scoop on a company, not the people at the same level who you're ultimately in competition with." In his discussion, Cosby highlighted the point that executives are constantly faced with the notion of how to treat those with whom they work. He urged audience members to reconsider the way they deal with their employees. Cosby also stressed the importance of questioning one's situation and changing it if necessary. "A physical therapist can't just expect a stroke patient to know how to move," he said. "He has to teach the person how to move. In the same way, a leader can't expect the workplace to function unless all the parts know how to work efficiently." Cosby also reflected on his own past decisions, namely giving up on acquiring his teaching degree for the allure show business. "I had a year left before I graduated, but all I could think about was the fact that I wouldn't make a great teacher because my heart was somewhere else," he said. "If you've got an idea, shoot for it. "Just because it's not a fixed plan or there are questions in your mind, doesn't mean it's a bad idea," he added.