At conferences and trade shows, I often share the platform with fascinating speakers. In 2007, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Kim Peek, the person who inspired the movie Rain Man starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise.
Peek and I were speaking at the same conference in Columbus, Ohio. Here are 5 Cool Ideas from the real Rain Man.
1. Read more and you’ll remember more.
Kim Peek was a savant with an amazing memory. When we met, he told me what roads lead to my house and the name of my telephone service provider. His friends called him “Kimputer” because he remembered everything he read. Peek had an IQ of only 73, but he had an eidetic or photographic memory.
2. Even celebrities require leadership.
Kim was a bona fide celebrity, but he wasn’t not a solo act. He traveled the world with his 80-year-old father, Fran. The elder peek shaved Kim and combed his hair. Fran was the Rain Man’s coach on all matters big and small.
3. Anyone can develop social skills.
The Rain Man had some unusual habits. He talked too loud, grunted and had a tendency to drone. He stood much closer than one is accustomed, often rubbing his nose and or belly on the person he was talking with. But Kim learned the most important social skill of all. When you met him, he made you feel special.
4. Everyone wants to feel important.
One of Kim’s patented social maneuvers was to sidle up to a person, belly-to-belly and say, “You are an important person.” People loved hearing this, especially from a mega-savant.
With Kim Peek's Oscar for Rain Man
5. Life imitates art.
Rain Man’s co-screenwriter, Barry Morrow gave Kim his 1988 Oscar. The Peek’s traveled with the statue as a conversation piece and photo opportunity. The well-worn (and heavy!) memento is said to be the most-handled Oscar of all time, as the Peeks have met over 1,000,000 people during their travels.
Kerry Sanders, an NBC reporter with three decades of experience, has met famous athletes, politicians and movie stars, but says no one impressed him in the way Kim Peek did. Watch this incredible video and you’ll be amazed, too.
Mr. Peek died on December 19, 2009 of a heart attack at age 58. The world is a better place because he was with us.
Tags: 5 Cool ideas, autistic savant, kerry sanders, kim peek, michael Angelo Caruso, oscar, rain man
