Few lecturers may mix charisma, simplicity and a convincing story to tell as Gardner does. Without any doubts, his life resembles a film.

 American Chris Gardner, the millionaire entrepreneur on whom the movie “The Pursuit for Happiness” was based, captivated an audience at 15th World Human Resources Congress. His story, seems taken from a film, but it actually inspired one and leaves us many interesting concepts to manage people.

Gardner, who experienced being a homeless father when he was 28 years old until he became a successful stockbroker, introduced himself stating some simple but forceful concepts.

“It is very important to remain strong when facing failure. I always ask people what point of their life they are living and what motivates them to keep on struggling,” explained Gardner.

He said that when he lived in a train station’s bathroom, he used to “ask himself very hard questions on what was going on”, the most important of which was “How did I get into this situation?”.

“My answer was that I had drove myself there. Therefore, I could go anywhere to improve my situation, and so I did”, he explained.

When asked on whether success comes with luck or with hard work, Gardner said “it is the result of work, it is passion. If you want to get lucky, go to Vegas.” And he added “the best and worst luck I have had, I had something to do with that.”

Also, as regards the stressful context we currently live in, he stated that “stress is contagious and the world is currently stressed.”

“In the United States, some people are rushing to say that recession is over. However, there still are plenty of people who keep on struggling to overcome very difficult situations”, he pointed out. “If this country works economically fine, do not complicate yourselves, just try to be happy”, he added.

He explained that “passion for what we do” is a key element to get where we want to get, no matter other people’s opinions. “Sometimes you are going after something you are really passionate about, and no one else but you will be able to see it. You have to see it with the eyes of your soul”, he said.

Gardner highlighted the importance of basing companies on people and their talent. “It is vital to show people in our working environment that we care about them, that they have a relevant function”, he added.

Few stories are as touching and inspiring as Chris Gardner’s story, a man who made himself, who shares his thoughts just as they come, for he knows his happiness is based on “changing every day other someone else’s life”.

“Just be happy”, advises Gardner and no one seems to dare to argue a single word he says.