Zig Ziglar talks to Keith Rosen about who his mentors and heroes were growing up and the impact they made on him.

Zig shares stories about his youth and lessons from his first boss. He also discusses the importance of having good mentor in your life.

Working in a grocery store at a very young age, Zig Ziglar describes his first boss, Mr. John R. Anderson, as a wonderful man who he later named his son after.  Mr. Anderson had a big farm. He took an interest in Zig. Mr. Anderson would take him to his farm, as Zig would listen to him as he talked to the laborers. Mr. Anderson took Zig to conventions for the organizations he worked with. Born Alabama and raised in Mississippi, Zig admits he had never been out of Yazoo City, Mississippi before traveling to these conventions. He recalls how Mr. Anderson, also a school teacher, would certainly provide very quick and direct feedback if he ever made a grammatical error. “I got corrected right away. He was straight, but it was effective,” proclaimed Zig.

Zig then shared how important coaching and mentoring is for every one. “It absolutely makes THE difference.” Zig talks about how fortunate he was to have so many wonderful people in this life who took an interest in him.

Zig continued to talk about the number of people in his life, including his coach in college who he described as, “A was a wise man who took an interest in me and my family. In a small community, that happens. He always made it a point to ensure I was following the right path.”

Of course, the greatest influence was his mom. “As ten of twelve children, mom always taught all of us.” Zig recalls one of his mother’s powerful, lifelong lessons he still lives by.

“With little certain sermon-esque, mom would say, “Tell the truth and tell it ever cost it what it will. For he who hides the wrong he did does the wrong thing still.”

And then she’d follow up and nail it down by by saying, “If you’re word is no good, people will soon find out that you’re no good.”

So, who his your mentor and coach? Who guides and encourages you to ensure you’re on the right path, as Zig explained, who truly has your best interests in mind over all else Who are you looking to model? Who is your coach, trainer, mentor, subject matter expert, predecessor and adviser? Is it your coach, a family member, teacher, friend, co worker, boss, company leader, community leader? Is it even someone who actually ever existed? Yes, that’s what happens if you’re a perfectionist; picturing the perfect person to try and model and emulate who doesn’t even exist. (In reality, of course, we’re all perfect in our own way, right? That’s what makes us human.)

It was a privilege and honor to spend a day with Zig Ziglar, one one one, in 2009 at his corporate office in Dallas. We did this series of interviews, which never aired. In honor of Zig Ziglar, I’m dedicating these videos in his memory. We are forever grateful for Zig’s wisdom and the gifts he has given to all of us over the years. His words and inspiration will continue to impact us today and for many generations to come.