I've been in sales and sales leadership for over 30 years. I've been blessed to be an award winning and bestselling author. But by far, my favorite title and blessing that I've ever been given is to be called Dad and Granddad… Gray Gray–to those who know me best.
I was born waaaay back in the last century. I love golfing, fishing, reading and writing. My happy place in life is with my daughters and their families. My happy place in business is when I am at my computer and crafting a new story.
Q: Where were you born, where were you raised, and where do you currently live (City, State/Province, Country)?
I was born in Dalton, GA. and raised there until after college. I currently have a small ranch in Texas, between Austin and Houston, in Ledbetter, TX. I spend my time split between the Dallas – Fort Worth area and Ledbetter, TX.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song or movie and why does it resonate with you?
The most common sense movie line ever written… Danny Glover in the movie "Silverado". A bad guy was about to kill a good guy. Danny gets the drop on the "bad guy"… cocks his Henry Rifle and says, "I don't want to kill you. And you don't want to be dead." That is a win-win situation if there ever was one!
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
My current career is being a writer, although I do some speaking and coaching. The speaking and coaching career are an outgrowth of 30 years in sales and sales leadership. The writing career was inspired by reading so many great stories over the years, and by an English teacher in High School. Og Mandino was the first business parable author that I read. I was hooked!
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Crafting a great story… putting myself in the exact situation in my mind's eye… and then creating dialogue that makes sense to me and pulls the reader, heart-first, into the storyline.
Q: What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Buy Apple! But then, I my 18-year-old self would have probably returned with a box of fruit! Seriously? I think I would have said, "Continue writing like you did in high school and never doubt your ability to touch the heart."
Q: What is one of your favorite places to be or travel to?
Without a doubt… the British Virgin Islands. I love the water there. It is the most beautiful place on earth that I have seen yet.
Q: If you could choose anyone (past or present, fictional or real) with whom to have lunch, who would it be and why?
Ronald Reagan. I love anyone who can lead in such a way that even their opponents who disagree with them still admire, respect and have genuine affection for them. That is SO missing in the world today.
Q: Who inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
My daughters. They make me want to be a better man, just to make them proud.
Q: How did you first discover “The Go-Giver”?
A fellow named Bob Burg sent me a copy. I had known of Bob and had been recommending “Endless Referrals” to salespeople for years. One day, my administrator buzzed my phone and said, "You have a call from Bob Burg." I thought someone was pulling a practical joke on me. I answered the phone, and he said, "Hi Jeff! I'm Bob Burg!" to which I replied, "Sure you are, fella!" LOL Bob was prospecting and I thought one of my friends was pulling my leg! We got to know each other, and he sent my first copy of "The Go-Giver" to me.
Q: Who would you like to see featured on The Faces Of The Go-Giver Community and why?
Everyone I have met in The Go-Giver Success Alliance Mentorship Community has been truly amazing and would be great featured members. The heart of this group is beyond anything I've seen before.
Q: Finally, how can we know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection or prospective customer/client for you?
If they have a message and a following, I would love to turn that message into a story they can be proud of.
Please include your website link if you have one!
https://jeffcwest.com
