Frequently asked questions about Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey

A few things you probably didn’t know about Bob and his innovative, idea-rich Ideas At Work!

We figured you might want to know the different facets in Bob’s life

• About Bob in his speaking and writing career

• About Bob with his involvement in Rotary

• About Bob in his Toastmasters Journey

• Candidate questions of interest to District Leaders

“Ideas... Leadership... Generosity of Spirit: That pretty much describes my good friend Bob Hooey. He embodies an interesting blend of these three qualities and, somehow, consistently manages to leave his unique watermark on everything he undertakes. He was bestowed with the coveted Warren Evans Spirit of CAPS Award for his generosity of spirit, his constant positive outlook, and for being a great inspiration to his peers. I will always remember his words, in Halifax, at our CAPS National convention. As I stepped off the stage after a first showcase speech in front of my speaker colleagues, he tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a heartfelt and very strategic compliment. He simply said, “What you’ve done in 5 minutes, many of us wouldn’t be able to do in an hour.” In one sentence, he had focused on the essence of what my brand would eventually be and made me feel like a hero! He truly acted as a leader, in his own generous way.”
Nabil Doss, Past President, Global Speakers Federation, Past President, Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, 2017 Warren Evans Spirit of CAPS Award Recipient

A brief note about Bob’s Toastmasters’ journey

In March 1991, Bob cautiously walked into Vancouver’s ‘Toastmasters of Today’ to check them out at the request of IPIP John Noonan, DTM. John had suggested he hone his speaking 'a bit' before setting out to be a professional. Wise advice! What he experienced engaged him and he returned the next week with a check to join. He came initially to work on his presentation skills. He stayed as he discovered a new TM family who supported him and nudged him forward in his quest to speak his way around the world. He moved into leadership and honed those skills as well. He learned and earned 7 CTMs, all 3 ATMs (bronze, silver gold), and 2 DTMs as well as the coveted professional level Accredited Speakers Designation (1998). He remains engaged, as he loves seeing people and organizations grow and thrive. He strategically makes time for Toastmasters as he travels.

He has served in every club role (some more than once) and all leadership roles except Division Governor (he was Assistant Div. Governor Education) up to and including District Governor and Region Advisor. More recently, he has chosen to lead behind the scenes, unofficially acting as a mentor and encourager in the two clubs where he held active membership. He remains committed and involved (31 years) as he loves giving back and seeing people grow, stretch and move out of their comfort zones. He is most proud of his year as Area 52 Governor where he saw all 5 of his clubs reach Distinguished status or better. One of them was brought back from less than 8 members to 23, and recognized as #13 in the world for clubs under 20. All 5 clubs are active to this day. The one we came back from less than 8 members just had their 60th anniversary in June.

Bob pictured in one of his favorite cities. He has visited there several times with his wife, Irene. Once for her birthday on is way back from speaking in Mumbai, India; and twice to present for professional speakers associations. As he says, "When Toastmasters had to postpone our Paris Convention I think she was saddened more than I was." Note: He has just returned from doing a keynote at the AFCP convention in May 2022 being held in Paris, France. His topic was, "Are WE, as Speakers, still relvant?" And perhaps we need to ask that of TMS?

He has been a travelling Toastmaster ever since his first year where he did his Number 5 & 6 CTM speeches in Australia. For 31 plus years, he has visited and presented in Toastmasters Clubs world-wide, and done presentations for Districts globally, where his travels allowed. For example, he did two programs in Beijing while doing a 17-day China tour. With Covid-19 his visits have been virtual, and he is often asked to present from his field of expertise around the globe. Follow this link to see Bob's Why

What is this Accredited Speaker designation of Bob's?

"Accredited Speakers possess professional caliber speaking skills and are able to attract and hold the attention of any audience. The expertise needed to speak professionally makes becoming an Accredited Speaker an elite accomplishment. Fewer than 20 percent of all applicants have earned the designation of Accredited Speaker since the program began in 1981."

Toastmasters International recognized a need to challenge and recognize those members whose speaking abilities and professionalism are of the highest caliber. In 1981, they initiated the professional level, Accredited Speaker designation with stringent qualifications and a challenging two-tiered judging process. Each year, qualified Toastmasters from around the world are invited to submit audition video, which are juried by an international panel of judges. If the speaker is deemed good enough (passes) in the first round of judging, they are invited to present a live/virtual presentation at the world conference in front of a live/virtual audience and a panel of five judges. Only, if 4 out of 5 judges concur, does the successful applicant receive the AS award. In 1995, Bob was one of only 5 speakers world-wide invited to present in San Diego, California. In 1996, one of only two world-wide invited to speak in St. Louis, Mo. In 1998, one of 3, in Palm Dessert. Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey, DTM, PDG, AS walked across the World Stage and was inducted into their Hall of Fame, as the 48th Accredited Speaker in Toastmasters 75-year history. 2200 plus cheering Toastmasters shared that moment with Bob – a highlight of his Toastmasters career to that time. Bob remains the last person to receive this highest speaking honor and the last Accredited Speaker for the 20th Century. There were no successful speakers inducted in 1999 or 2000. The next successful inductees were in 2001. (Play video of Bob receiving his award). Bob has been mentoring AS applicants, along with other AS, and we've seen a dramatic increase in TMs earning this designation. To date (2022): there are only 88 Accredited Speakers world-wide, and just 12 of them are from Canada. Visit www.toastmasters.org/membership/accredited-speaker for more information on this amazing professional speaking designation and its professional members.

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I include this picture standing on the top of one of the towers on the Great Wall of China in my Speaking for Success programs. I ask my audiences to look closely at the face in this picture and see both the pain and the passion shown. This was one of the highlights of this 17 day trip to China but one of the most painful ones. I have a knee that gives me trouble due to an accident many years ago. In fact, the day I attempted this climb it was at its worst and I climbed in a brace. You may not know, but the steps on the great wall are deliberately set at different heights and depth as a design to stop attacking soldiers from marching up them. I started out ok, but my knee soon let me know I was pushing past my edge. I forged ahead, literally focusing on 'one step at a time,' almost crawling at times, until I eventually made it to the top of two towers. As I looked out from the 2nd tower I thought... "when the passion allows you to push through the pain, you succeed." That is an important leadership lesson, and one I have shared around the globe.

About Bob in his speaking and writing career:

Bob works globally with leading-edge business leaders and independent professionals who want to profitably enhance their leadership and careers; as well as innovative organizations that want to remain competitive and profitable, to motivate, educate, and empower their staff, improve client acquisition, increase sales, and become even more profitable.

Thousands of readers, leaders and professionals across North America and the globe have been successfully applying Bob’s idea-rich, creative, practical, and ‘profitable’ Ideas At Work! over the past twenty-five plus years. Follow this link for more information on his writing. His prolific success at writing is credited to learning how to organize his thoughts as he created speeches in Toastmasters. Later he would learn to leverage that skill for the benefit of thousands who received his books.

Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey is an inspirational, confident, results-based leader, motivational keynote speaker, sales success coach, corporate success trainer, strategic business coach, facilitator, and award-winning author. He is also a Certified Virtual Presenter and would be pleased to zoom into a monitor near you.

Bob speaking to 3200 (grade 3-7) students at an
anti-bullying rally held in Edmonton, AB (video below)

Bob is international leader, author, speaker and trainer (86 countries live, so far) on personal leadership, sales success, employee motivation, applied creativity, business innovation, and enhanced personal performance. Busy man! Productive man! And owes this, in part, to Toastmasters.

Creating captivating stories personally mined from 29 plus years rich experience, Bob challenges his audiences and readers to engage his Ideas At Work! He motives them to act on what they hear with clear, easily understood success building blocks, results-based leadership, sales, and career development and success, innovative ideas as well as proven leadership development, sales success, and career enhancement techniques.

Bob has earned international recognition and respect as an inspirational leader, author, award winning speaker, sales and innovative corporate success trainer. His innovative presentations and Ideas At Work! have taken him to across the globe. Bob leads, motivates, and inspires his audiences to productively stretch and leverage their personal effectiveness; and to hone specific idea rich sales, career, and leadership skills critical to succeed personally and professionally.

“Bob Hooey is one of the best speakers, trainers and business consultants that I have ever met. We have worked together in training the top executives of billion- dollar companies, and received rave reviews. In my career as a Professional Speaker, I have given more than 5000 Presentations in 84 countries, to more than 5,000,000 people,  to audiences as small as 20 people, and as large as 24,000 participants. Bob Hooey and I have worked together for decades. ” Brian Tracy - Speaker, Author, Consultant

Bob is committed to your growth and excellence, not your comfort. To get to the winner's zone, we must move outside our comfort zone. His provocative ideas will challenge the way you think and inspire the way you act! He will challenge you to grow and to win. Canadian business, sales, and leadership success author, Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey has earned a solid reputation for going the extra mile in crafting and tailoring his idea rich leadership, business, and career development books, e-books and innovative companion educational learning materials for his clients and audiences around the world. As the author of 30 plus business and leadership development books, Bob knows what he is talking about and has honed his ability to communicate it in a humorous, engaging, and challenging style.

Bob is a frequent contributor and columnist on sales, motivational teamwork, inspirational leadership, innovation, presentation and communication skills, and success, seen in North American consumer, corporate intra-net, association, trade journals, and on-line e-zines. His innovative, motivational Ideas At Work! success articles and publications have been read and successfully applied by thousands of leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals across the world.

Why are you called the 'Idea Man'?

This nickname actually came from a client who said during one of our meetings, "You're a real idea man, aren't you?" As we talked a few ideas came to the surface. For some reason Bob has this ability to see potential solutions or ideas when in conversation with people. Often, when they ask that, he simply responds, "Let's chat and you'll figure it out!" Some of his ideas have been very productive for his company and his clients. One client told us an idea acted on that Bob shared with him had earned him in excess of $12,000,000 over its first year. Wonder if that is why he kept engaging Bob's services? Bob can bring this creative and innovative skill to my role on the board.

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Bob Hooey is a national founding/charter member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers who has served on the CAPS National Board, President of two Chapters, Trustee of the CAPS Charitable Foundation and the CAPS Editorial Board. He is proud to be a contributing member of this association and an ambassador as he travels the globe. He has also been a catalyst between Toastmasters and CAPS, as many CAPS members are also Toastmasters. For example, when he keynoted the Leadership Luncheon at the 2008 International Convention, CAPS was a sponsor. He is also a founding member of PSA-Spain and VSAI.

"I have seen Bob presenting and speaking in many different countries around the world, especially at many of the Global Speakers Federation member associations' annual conventions. He is generous in sharing many ideas to help professional speakers and businesses grow to their next level of success. Bob is a great communicator who uses the art of storytelling to convey many of his amazing insights and life experiences. I also love his passion for developing and supporting leaders, especially in the speaking community globally. Truly an amazing guy! You will be delighted to work with him!"
Jonathan Low, PCC, CSP Past President Global Speakers Federation

Can Bob deliver his programs remotely (Virtual environment)?

Yes, he can! Bob has been using Skype and zoom globally for the past few years to keep in touch, collaborate, consult and deliver virtual programs for his clients and leaders around the globe. In 2020, he hosted a virtual speakers roundtable with 15 guest speakers from around the globe to replace a live 2-day event planned for Barcelona in April. He has been a frequent guest presenter on virtual summits around the globe. For example, presenting on the 3rd annual International Speakers Summit, which was viewed by 20,000 around the world. With Covid shutting down in person presentations eSpeakers created the Certified Virtual Presenter designation. Bob earned his in 2020.

What is this Certified Virtual Presenter designation?

eSpeakers.com certifies that this presenter demonstrated the tools, environment and skills to perform a quality remote presentation using live video.

eSpeakers, who serves many of our professional speakers associations saw a need for some form of standard certification in online presentation after covid hit. They check and verify upload and download as well as connection times and other technical issues prior to certification which is retested every two years. Bob was tested and earned his in 2020.

How can Bob effectively address so many types of groups?

Bob presenting for the UN at a special 2 day event in BC

Over the past 29 plus years, Bob has worked in, consulted with and spoken to a global range of audiences from a diverse collection of industries and fields, including the volunteer and professional association sectors. The fact that Bob has researched and addressed such a wide range of audiences (more than he cares to count) is a big part of his on-going value and contribution to your team and organization. He researches his subject and his audiences in depth prior to delivery to ensure he is relevant to their needs.

Every group is different and has unique stories and connections. Bob has found that we face many similar challenges. In his areas of expertise, he brings the 'best practices' and portable ideas of 'what works' (Ideas At Work!) and research from other industries to your group. Often, Bob hears, “Why didn’t I think of that?” in response to an idea or an area of opportunity not presently being explored or utilized. Bob brings solid value to his programs and the wider the net of experience and creative ideas he can share, the better for you and your team. He has built a network of colleagues and Toastmasters around the world that he can dip into for advice and to keep current.

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Are you really as confident as you appear?

I wish! This is something I learned with I first joined Toastmasters. As you prepare to speak put your best face forward. Put whatever else is happening away during the time you are speaking. You owe it to your audience to show up, prepared, positive, and ready to deliver. There have been times when I was anything but. However, as I moved into professional speaking I saw this lesson enhanced in various situations around the globe. At times, I am confident as I have done my homework and am well rested and ready to deliver at my best. However, regardless of how I feel that is what I attempt to do... show up and deliver my best. Perhaps, at times I have been overconfident, but feel this is better than showing fear. This lesson applies to leaders even more directly. Your teams look to you for guidance and encouragement. Keep positive and focused to help them work through whatever challenge they are facing and you are doing your job.

“I watched Bob Hooey deliver a speech in Cape Town, SA when he was feeling far less than 100%. The audience never knew. That’s what a pro does. Shows up and delivers!” Shep Hyken, CSP, CPAE, Past President NSA

What movitates you?

Looking back over my 31 year Toastmasters journey and nearly 3 decades as a professional speaker, author and trainer it is realizing that I have been of benefit to my audiences. The greatest gift I've received as a speaker was hearing later that something I've said helped in some way.

What is this CKD-Emeritus designation?

Bob was a long-time professional member and professionalism advocate of the National Kitchen & Bath Association and continued to serve as a teaching professional with their in-house speaker’s bureau. He earned accreditation as one of 75 Canadian professional designers, as a Certified Kitchen Designer, in January of 1993. Much later, after a few years away from active design while speaking, Bob retired his designation in 2004 and was awarded the Certified Kitchen Designer – Emeritus (CKDE) designation in recognition of his leadership and commitment to the industry.

What is the Spirit of CAPS award?

The Spirit of CAPS award was given to Bob at the CAPS Annual Convention in 2011. It was given in recognition of his contribution to excellence in the speaking profession and his commitment to the ideals and values of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. View this award being presented to Bob and his acceptance speech.

“The Spirit of CAPS may be awarded to one CAPS member each year who demonstrates the spirit of sharing, leading, and inspiring other professional speakers, trainers, and facilitators within the mission, vision, and values of CAPS. This member will have demonstrated the qualities of generosity, spirit, and professionalism over many years and reflected outstanding credit, respect, honour, and admiration in the Association. Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey is a charter member of CAPS National (1997) and has served in a multitude of leadership roles including being Chapter President of Vancouver (1999 & 2000) as well as Edmonton (2012). He served on the CAPS National Board (2000-2002), the CAPS Editorial Board, and served (5 years) as a Trustee for the CAPS Foundation. In addition, he has been recognized for his leadership in the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International. He has been honoured by the United Nations Association and received the Canada 125 award for his leadership and community service. In 1998 he was inducted into Toastmasters International’s Hall of Fame as the 48th speaker, world-wide, to earn their coveted professional level Accredited Speaker designation. He continues to lead with the objective of leaving a significant positive legacy.” Ravi Tangri, CSP, Past CAPS National President

What is the story behind Bob and the Tiger?

Some of Bob’s readers might have seen the picture of him wrestling a 400 lb. Bengal tiger and asked about it. Like many of us, when Bob was going to college, he worked to pay his way. One of the positions he had with a home show promoter, was to personally host special guests such as Playboy’s Miss April 1963; and, of course, the tiger.

The pictures of Bob and the Tiger (above) was taken on his 21st birthday, when he was engaged to work with a 400-pound Bengal Tiger and present daily shows at the Edmonton Home Show. He would wrestle his furry partner while an excited, anxious audience watched safely outside the cage. Bob learned first-hand how to work cooperatively with a larger, more powerful force and the value of being prepared. He also learned first-hand the value of persuasion and a gentler approach to leadership and teamwork working with BK (Big Kat).

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Did you really rappel down the outside of a 28 story building?

Yes! Bob was asked by a former client to speak for Alberta Easter seals at their inaugural Drop Zone fund raising event in Edmonton, AB. He loved the idea, and despite his fear of heights, decided if he was going to be effective he needed to do what most of those who were in the audience had done. So Bob signed up, raised money to qualify, took training at a local rock climbing wall where we got used to a harness and coming down a 25 foot wall. Then on the day, Bob strapped on his harness, wearing a vintage Adam West Batman suit and nervously climbed over the ledge to climb down 28 stories. Some how he made it down. Whew! He remembers someone saying how nice it was he'd conquered his fear of heights. He laughed and told him, he was still afraid, but had confronted them. Bob later told the audience he'd learned "When the cause we seek is greater than the fear, we move through to succeed."

What about your work with Unions?

Over the years Bob has been pleased to work with a number of unions and their leaders across Canada. More recently, He has been working with leaders of AUPE (Alberta Union of Public Employees - 90,000 plus membership). They've had him speak at conferences, training for locals and committees; as well as working directly with their Provincial Executive members. We even chatted briefly about starting a series of in-house Toastmasters clubs to help their members prior to covid.

"I have known Bob, personally and professionally, over a number of years and have had the opportunity to directly observe, and benefit from, his leadership skills and his exemplary communication training techniques and styles." Guy Smith, President, AUPE

Why does Bob call himself a Creative Leadership Catalyst?

A catalyst is an agent of change – something happens when a catalytic agent is in place. Bob is fully committed to being a creative leadership catalyst for his readers and audiences. In that leadership role, Bob regularly challenges them to re-visit, re-examine and re-frame their belief systems, ideas, processes and ways of looking and doing things. This is the essence of what makes him so valuable to his clients… he gently pushes them outside their comfort zone to grow to the next level. He has brought this skill to every Toastmasters leadership role and will bring this skill to his role on the board, should you vote for him this August.

Tell us about 'In the Company of Leaders' (now in it's 3rd edition)

When I was invited to keynote the leadership luncheon at the 2008 Toastmasters International convention I wanted to provide some take away value. I created a small pocket sized book (Pocket Wisdom for Leaders) and reached out to 40 leaders around the globe including Toastmasters to create In the Company of Leaders. Colleagues like Marshall Goldsmith, Dillip Abayasekara, Mark LeBlanc, Jack Trout, Phil Van Hooser, Jim Cathcart, Mark Sanborn, and Brian Tracy graciously contributed their wisdom. It was done as an e-publication. In it's second edition it went print and pixel and we updated it for our 95th anniversary. Plans are underway to revisit it for our 100th anniversary.

A brief note about Bob and his involvement in Rotary

Bob has a rich history working with Rotary. His daughter was a Rotary Exchange Student (at 16) in Scotland. His very first presentations outside of a Toastmasters Club were for Rotary Clubs, and he still does them. He was hired to present at a Rotary Leadership Institute in Edmonton. While there he met two Rotarians from Russia who went home and raised $5000 to bring him over to Vladivostok to speak at their conference and to work with their Rotaract students. He remains in contact with some of them to today.

Bob Hooey speaking in Vladivostok, Russia for Rotary.

"Bob and I have worked on the stage together at various events. Most notably we travelled to Russia together to speak at a Rotary District Conference, a few years ago. That event was a great success. Bob has shared his talents and expertise with Rotary, supporting our various programs and presenting at leadership training events. He has also taken an interest in mentoring youth and young adults through participation, supporting our Rotaract clubs (University/College aged service club sponsored by Rotary).

Due to the joint partnership between Toastmasters and Rotary, I feel that Bob’s speaking experience and knowledge of these groups well qualifies him for a leadership role in Toastmasters." ...more PDG Doug Vincent, United Nations Ambassador, Rotary Zone 24, UNAC

Note from Bob: With what is happening in Ukraine at the direction of Putin, please remember our Toastmasters family in Ukraine and Russia. His unfounded invasion of Ukraine is not their choice and they need not be vilified. Please be kind! We need to suport TMs in both Ukraine and Russia during this very sad time. Looking forward to seeing what our Board decides to do to support our TM family in both countries.

Please vote for Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey as International Director from Region 4

Bob speaking at the Apollo Theatre, in Paris (2019) for the European Speakers Summit hosted by AFCP
(teaser of his presentation)

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Check out Bob's feature article on leadership in the July 2008 issue of The Toastmaster. This article preceded his keynote at the Toastmasters International leadership luncheon in Calgary that same year.

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Tell us about this picture of you up the pole?

Bob up on a 40 foot telephone pole during D42 District Leaders training

When I first moved to D42 back in 2000 I was asked to assist the district team conduct a 2-day district level training session which would include all of our Division Governors. I did an interactive session on how to effectively handle conflict - something every leader will experience. That afternoon we were invited to do a 'ropes' course as a team building exercise. The objective here was to safely (wearing a harness with two manned lines) climb up a 40 foot telephone pole and jump off attempting to hit the duck. You were trusting your two teammates on the lines to safely control your return to earth. I was their cheerleader and finally I was challenged to climb. As someone who is really afraid of heights, that was a challenge. At times, a leaders has to screw up his courage, confront the fear and lead by example. We did this each year for another 4 years where I acted as D42 Executive Coach, but it never got any easier.

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Follow this link to a presentation I did for one of our clubs in the USA in 2020.

More to come...

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