Communication is the process of delivering what we are saying to each other in words and actions. Interpretation must be projected in a clear and concise manner for others to understand clearly. Bob Paff has a special way to show you how to "Communicate to Win!"
Bob Paff
By Rodney Wayne Branche and Darise S. Deal
Copa: Bob, where are you from?
Bob: I’m from Baltimore, Maryland.
Bob: I’m from Baltimore, Maryland.
Copa: Where did you attend school?
Bob: I attended Catholic school in the inner city of Baltimore, and then high school here, and then I went to Towson University. So all my schooling has been in the Baltimore area.
Bob: I attended Catholic school in the inner city of Baltimore, and then high school here, and then I went to Towson University. So all my schooling has been in the Baltimore area.
Copa: What is it that you like best about the Baltimore area?
Bob: It’s small. I refer to Baltimore as a village. I love New York and New York is a city of 16 million and Baltimore is a city of about 600,000. It can be a blessing and a curse when you know everybody. Baltimore has its charm and it’s my home. I’ve raised my kids here, and it I love that it has a small town feel to it.
Bob: It’s small. I refer to Baltimore as a village. I love New York and New York is a city of 16 million and Baltimore is a city of about 600,000. It can be a blessing and a curse when you know everybody. Baltimore has its charm and it’s my home. I’ve raised my kids here, and it I love that it has a small town feel to it.
Copa: When did the “speaking bug” bite you? How did you launch your career in TV news?
Bob: Great question. I got bit by the “speaking bug” when I was 16 years old. My first job was when I was 12 years old setting up bowling pins in the basement of a church for $3 a night. My first real job was working in the catering business as a Maitre d’. Part of that experience was the opportunity to be the Master of Ceremonies for events like weddings. This opportunity led me from being a dirty and sweaty kitchen busboy, to a host in a tuxedo with a microphone in my hand. Public speaking is the number one fear for most people. Some perspire and some people even pass out. You either love public speaking or you don’t. I just got the “bug” at that early age and I knew I would do something related to public speaking. For a while I wanted to be a lawyer. I went to college and majored in Political Science, and later I decided I didn’t want to do that. After changing my major to Communications and interning for two network affiliates in Baltimore, I decided that I really wanted to be a news anchor.
Bob: Great question. I got bit by the “speaking bug” when I was 16 years old. My first job was when I was 12 years old setting up bowling pins in the basement of a church for $3 a night. My first real job was working in the catering business as a Maitre d’. Part of that experience was the opportunity to be the Master of Ceremonies for events like weddings. This opportunity led me from being a dirty and sweaty kitchen busboy, to a host in a tuxedo with a microphone in my hand. Public speaking is the number one fear for most people. Some perspire and some people even pass out. You either love public speaking or you don’t. I just got the “bug” at that early age and I knew I would do something related to public speaking. For a while I wanted to be a lawyer. I went to college and majored in Political Science, and later I decided I didn’t want to do that. After changing my major to Communications and interning for two network affiliates in Baltimore, I decided that I really wanted to be a news anchor.
Copa: When was your first broadcast industry break?
Bob: When I finished college I worked for the WMAR station, an NBC affiliate. I was an intern and then I retired to do some writing. The problem is when you’re an intern, it’s difficult to break away from that. No matter what you’re doing, you’re still labeled as the kid that goes to get the office coffee. I also was about to get married. In order to work your way up in the news business, you need to pay your dues. Baltimore is the 20th market in the country in terms of media, so you would need to go to places like Asheville, North Carolina to start your career. I’ve been married twice. I got married the first time, a couple of months shy of my 24th birthday. At the time, my wife, who was from Baltimore, was uninterested in relocating, so I gave up my dream to be in broadcasting. I started working in banking and then built and insurance agency. So this opportunity has come full circle for me. I am blessed to be able to pick up my dream at the age of 50.
Bob: When I finished college I worked for the WMAR station, an NBC affiliate. I was an intern and then I retired to do some writing. The problem is when you’re an intern, it’s difficult to break away from that. No matter what you’re doing, you’re still labeled as the kid that goes to get the office coffee. I also was about to get married. In order to work your way up in the news business, you need to pay your dues. Baltimore is the 20th market in the country in terms of media, so you would need to go to places like Asheville, North Carolina to start your career. I’ve been married twice. I got married the first time, a couple of months shy of my 24th birthday. At the time, my wife, who was from Baltimore, was uninterested in relocating, so I gave up my dream to be in broadcasting. I started working in banking and then built and insurance agency. So this opportunity has come full circle for me. I am blessed to be able to pick up my dream at the age of 50.
Copa: Let’s move into your book, Communicating to Win: In Life, Love & Business. Tell us about it.
Bob: Communicating to Win: In Life, Love & Business is the culmination of my life experiences. I walk the walk and I talk the talk. It’s written in a very conversational style. When the book was edited, it was very important for me to maintain that. It’ funny because the editors would come back to me and ask if I meant to say something. When you read my book, it’s as though I’m talking to you, and I’ve received this response often. It’s great.
Communicating to Win talks about why we don’t communicate…the basis for poor communication in life, love and business. When you look at how 50 percent of all first-time marriages, 65 percent of all second marriages, and 73 percent of all third marriages end in divorce, the problem gets worse and not better. Even business partnerships break up. The foundation of everything that we do as a society is based on communication. Doesn’t it make sense that we would want to be more effective and successful in our communication?
Think about this. If you were lucky, you were taught manners growing up. But no one teaches us about communication. We are not teaching our children how to communicate. As a result, when we get into problematic relationships, whether it’s personal or business, we don’t know how to navigate those situations. It’s more than just saying “please” or “thank you.” Mahatma Gandhi said it best… so much of what we do is based in fear – fear of rejection and embarrassment. We keep fear inside, and it never goes away. It manifests and then it explodes in others areas of our lives. Fear causes problems for us later on, with our children, in our marriages, with our bosses, our employees, our friends and our neighbors. Communication is the foundation and the cornerstone of life. Everything comes down to communication.
My book was released in January of 2015, and it’s now ranked in the top 10 among books like Dale Carnegie’s, How to Win Friends & Influence People. This blows me away. My book is also currently number one in the Communications Category.
Bob: Communicating to Win: In Life, Love & Business is the culmination of my life experiences. I walk the walk and I talk the talk. It’s written in a very conversational style. When the book was edited, it was very important for me to maintain that. It’ funny because the editors would come back to me and ask if I meant to say something. When you read my book, it’s as though I’m talking to you, and I’ve received this response often. It’s great.
Communicating to Win talks about why we don’t communicate…the basis for poor communication in life, love and business. When you look at how 50 percent of all first-time marriages, 65 percent of all second marriages, and 73 percent of all third marriages end in divorce, the problem gets worse and not better. Even business partnerships break up. The foundation of everything that we do as a society is based on communication. Doesn’t it make sense that we would want to be more effective and successful in our communication?
Think about this. If you were lucky, you were taught manners growing up. But no one teaches us about communication. We are not teaching our children how to communicate. As a result, when we get into problematic relationships, whether it’s personal or business, we don’t know how to navigate those situations. It’s more than just saying “please” or “thank you.” Mahatma Gandhi said it best… so much of what we do is based in fear – fear of rejection and embarrassment. We keep fear inside, and it never goes away. It manifests and then it explodes in others areas of our lives. Fear causes problems for us later on, with our children, in our marriages, with our bosses, our employees, our friends and our neighbors. Communication is the foundation and the cornerstone of life. Everything comes down to communication.
My book was released in January of 2015, and it’s now ranked in the top 10 among books like Dale Carnegie’s, How to Win Friends & Influence People. This blows me away. My book is also currently number one in the Communications Category.
Videos of Bob Paff
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Copa: What’s your take on social media and communication, especially as it relates to young people?
Bob: I have children ranging from 12 to 29 in age; four children are from my first marriage and two are from my second marriage. Generally, there is a concern that kids don’t know how to communicate these days. Kids will sit next to each other, and there is no reason to articulate anything, when they can simply text the person next to them. A couple years ago, I started using Facebook and Twitter as a venue to express what I do. I look at social media in terms of using it effectively. I use social media as tools. If we are given a tool box in life, we should not use it as crutch.
Social media gives rise to a lot of people who are not socially adept, who might not otherwise have a voice. When people release vindictive, toxic things via social media, the information can become explosive. While I admire people like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates for what they’ve given us, I don’t think we’ve spent enough time looking at the dark side of social media. What type of generation are we raising? Two or three more generations down the line, there will be no need for communication.
Bob: I have children ranging from 12 to 29 in age; four children are from my first marriage and two are from my second marriage. Generally, there is a concern that kids don’t know how to communicate these days. Kids will sit next to each other, and there is no reason to articulate anything, when they can simply text the person next to them. A couple years ago, I started using Facebook and Twitter as a venue to express what I do. I look at social media in terms of using it effectively. I use social media as tools. If we are given a tool box in life, we should not use it as crutch.
Social media gives rise to a lot of people who are not socially adept, who might not otherwise have a voice. When people release vindictive, toxic things via social media, the information can become explosive. While I admire people like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates for what they’ve given us, I don’t think we’ve spent enough time looking at the dark side of social media. What type of generation are we raising? Two or three more generations down the line, there will be no need for communication.
Copa: Also speaking of social media, are we using it to communicate effectively?
Bob: I don’t think that people use social media effectively at all. I consult with restaurants and executives on their communication styles because I have been an executive and a CEO. If you are in business, you should know how to use social media effectively. It all points back to the origin of communication. For example, we are all a product of how we were brought up and every relationship that we’ve had. When you lie down in bed at night with your spouse, you are lying down with everyone that has affected that person’s life. We are a collection of all those things.
Bob: I don’t think that people use social media effectively at all. I consult with restaurants and executives on their communication styles because I have been an executive and a CEO. If you are in business, you should know how to use social media effectively. It all points back to the origin of communication. For example, we are all a product of how we were brought up and every relationship that we’ve had. When you lie down in bed at night with your spouse, you are lying down with everyone that has affected that person’s life. We are a collection of all those things.
Copa: What is your philosophy on life?
Bob: I’m excited about 2015. I sense a shift in the air. People are more positive. They have hope. My philosophy is I encourage people to pay it forward. Give more than you take. Look out for the other guy. Why can’t we all succeed? Why can’t we all win? Why can’t we all have a seat at the table?
I’m excited about how my book has really taken off. We’ve reached people globally in places such as Australia, India and Russia. Throughout all my experiences, no one has said to me that they don’t need to communicate better or that they don’t want to win.
Bob: I’m excited about 2015. I sense a shift in the air. People are more positive. They have hope. My philosophy is I encourage people to pay it forward. Give more than you take. Look out for the other guy. Why can’t we all succeed? Why can’t we all win? Why can’t we all have a seat at the table?
I’m excited about how my book has really taken off. We’ve reached people globally in places such as Australia, India and Russia. Throughout all my experiences, no one has said to me that they don’t need to communicate better or that they don’t want to win.
Copa: What does the future hold for Bob Paff and the next book?
Bob: You know the expression, “Be careful what you wish for” … I am living that right now. I remember Oprah Winfrey got her start in Baltimore. When Oprah was a little girl, she always said she felt special, different and destined for something. I feel the same way. I don’t mean to be self-indulgent. But to really know me is to understand that money does not motivate me. It’s not about that. I believe if you are passionate, the money will follow and you’ll never work a day in your life.
As far as my book, I plan to turn it into a TV show. I want to help people around the world to become more effective with the Communicating to Win stamp. Let’s help people to become more effective, positive and prosperous. This is a global message. TV is a natural media for me, and I’ve also done radio. TV will help me reach a larger audience. Although I didn’t plan on writing another book, people have said that I should.
This message – in its simplest form –is all about empowerment. People always ask me to speak at their church and I do it because I am a man of faith. If I’m not travelling, you’ll find me in church every Sunday.
I’m also thinking about developing a Communicating to Win series for different industries and brands like teachers, lawyers or writers. This was never in my plan. However, God gave me the ability and the talent, and I know I’m doing good work. I’ve had enough people say that what I’ve done has made an impact on their lives. If you have at least one person saying that, I think you are doing okay.
The one thing I want people to understand about me is that I’m always accessible. I’ve made my mistakes, and I’m willing to talk about them. I let people know that there is hope. It’s not about getting knocked down, it’s about getting up. It’s not about what you did, it’s about what you do. When I was on the “Steve Harvey Show” last fall, he asked me to share the three most important things in my life and I replied, “My family, my faith and my failures.” When you get knocked down seven times, you must get up eight. Life is hard. It even sucks at times, but you have to keep going. You must find your inspiration. This message and the messages in my book about communication will catch on.
Order your copy of Communicating to Win on Amazon.com. For more information about Bob Paff, visit www.bobpaff.com.
Bob: You know the expression, “Be careful what you wish for” … I am living that right now. I remember Oprah Winfrey got her start in Baltimore. When Oprah was a little girl, she always said she felt special, different and destined for something. I feel the same way. I don’t mean to be self-indulgent. But to really know me is to understand that money does not motivate me. It’s not about that. I believe if you are passionate, the money will follow and you’ll never work a day in your life.
As far as my book, I plan to turn it into a TV show. I want to help people around the world to become more effective with the Communicating to Win stamp. Let’s help people to become more effective, positive and prosperous. This is a global message. TV is a natural media for me, and I’ve also done radio. TV will help me reach a larger audience. Although I didn’t plan on writing another book, people have said that I should.
This message – in its simplest form –is all about empowerment. People always ask me to speak at their church and I do it because I am a man of faith. If I’m not travelling, you’ll find me in church every Sunday.
I’m also thinking about developing a Communicating to Win series for different industries and brands like teachers, lawyers or writers. This was never in my plan. However, God gave me the ability and the talent, and I know I’m doing good work. I’ve had enough people say that what I’ve done has made an impact on their lives. If you have at least one person saying that, I think you are doing okay.
The one thing I want people to understand about me is that I’m always accessible. I’ve made my mistakes, and I’m willing to talk about them. I let people know that there is hope. It’s not about getting knocked down, it’s about getting up. It’s not about what you did, it’s about what you do. When I was on the “Steve Harvey Show” last fall, he asked me to share the three most important things in my life and I replied, “My family, my faith and my failures.” When you get knocked down seven times, you must get up eight. Life is hard. It even sucks at times, but you have to keep going. You must find your inspiration. This message and the messages in my book about communication will catch on.
Order your copy of Communicating to Win on Amazon.com. For more information about Bob Paff, visit www.bobpaff.com.
~Copa
