Henry Winkler is a Hollywood actor with over three Emmy nominations. He is an actor, producer, writer and director. My personal favourite is that he helped develop the series ‘MacGyver’, the all round action man who made the movie ‘Die Hard’ look like kindergarten.
Henry Winkler was popular for playing the role of Fonzi in the series Happy Times on ABC in the 70s. He had a friend named Sylvester Stallone, who was a struggling actor waiting for his big break.
Sylvester Stallone wrote a movie script called ‘Rocky’, and he had been turned down by many movie directors and television networks because he wanted to play the lead role, and they wanted a big action star to play the role.
Sylvester Stallone gave his script to Henry and asked him to pass it along to the executives at ABC. Henry called a director at ABC and said they have to give ‘Rocky’ a chance, or they would regret it forever.
Rocky became a movie phenomenon, a number 1 box office hit, best seller and Sylvester Stallone was nominated for best actor and original screenplay two years after the movie was released. Henry never claimed credit; he never got jealous of Sylvester or tried to make Sylvester a permanent benefactor for life.
Henry was a quiet ladder, a powerful voice that used his power to give the world one of the best movies of all time.
Henry’s ability to see what other people could not, facilitate a dream to the level where it could become a reality, and retreat to the shadows and continue on his own path is worth studying and emulating.
Every great person of note has a ‘Henry’ in their lives, someone who sees the fire in others and is willing to lend their platform for others to shine.
Seek people better than you, not to ‘use’ them, but to help them become even better. When you use your power to help others become relevant; you will never be forgotten or relegated to the background, even if those you helped do not return the favour. Choose to be the friend who is a ladder, not a stumbling block, an elevator, not an exterminator of dreams.
You may not have all the wealth or influence to help as much as you would love to, but a word of encouragement, positive feedback, and a simple referral can go a long way.
Even though no one has stepped up for you, be the first to step up for others in your circle. You cannot hold up the light for others and be in the darkness of obscurity. Push someone higher, further, better through your platforms, even if you may never get there yourself.
Be someone’s Henry Today!
