Brian Gray talking about Charismatic People

 
Charismatic People was the title of a talk by member Brian Gray.

Dictionaries defined a charismatic person as someone who had compelling charm, someone who made an impression, a leader.
Brian defined it as “someone who lights up a room.”

He had three categories, someone he had seen but not met, someone he had seen and met and someone he had not met but would liked
to have met.

He recalled seeing but not meeting Sir Jackie Stewart at Edinburgh Airport in 1990. He had retired from Formula One almost 20
years before but Sir Jackie still attracted attention. He had an engaging personality.

Brian met Denis Law when the football star attended a corporate soccer event that Brian helped organise. Brian said Law
had a cheeky charm and a fund of stories that made him such a charismatic figure.

Brian highlighted some top golfers who had that special allure. Greg Norman was one and probably the Number 1 was superstar
Seve Ballesteros. Both had that magical presence.

Elvis Presley was a musical superstar. Brian recalled an event at the SECC in Glasgow where, through amazing technology, a
virtual Elvis put on a stunning performance of his amazing hit songs.

Seen and met was one of golf’s great personalities, Peter Alliss. Brian had enjoyed his company over lunch when he
was regaled with many amusing anecdotes.

The Queen was a most remarkable woman and her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh was also a charismatic figure.

A list of charismatic people Brian had not met and would like to have met included Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill and Mohammed
Ali. Others he would love to meet who had that compelling attraction were the likes of Tom Hanks and Sue Barker.

Marilyn Rowan Rhind thanked Brian for his talk which was delivered in his usual inimitable style.