I Passed the Audit

Posted on by

I’d like to thank the Institute of Internal Auditors for their warm reception last week when I gave the opening keynote speech at their All-Star Conference “The Best of the Best,” at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

Last year, I spoke at one of their IIA regional conferences in Atlanta, and even though the audience was terrific, I was very nervous. I mean, an auditor’s job is to analyze and evaluate, so I felt like everything I said was being scrutinized and judged by a room full of experts.

When the evaluations came back, I was relieved to see that I not only passed the audit, they rated my presentation 3.93 out of 4 – one of the highest rankings of all the talks at their conferences. And they invited me back to give an encore presentation at last week’s “Best of the Best” event. Thank you again IIA, for the opportunity, the high marks, and the nice comments afterwards.

I usually do a crossword puzzle during the opening speeches, but not this time. Richard St. John’s talk was the best I’ve ever heard.
Robert M. Abisla, VP, Director of Internal Audit, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston

The debate in the book signing line was whether Richard’s talk should be first or last. I said first, because he woke me up. It was really great. I wouldn’t want to be the speaker following him.
Joseph P. Lynch, Director of Internal Audit, Tetra Technologies

  • I’m sure the audience recognized your passion and genuine nature, Richard. Even auditors would pick up on that!

  • I’m sure the audience recognized your passion and genuine nature, Richard. Even auditors would pick up on that!

  • richard

    Ha ha. Yes, Mike, I learned that auditors are very perceptive – and they too have passion for their work. Scott White, internal auditor and advisory board chairman, said to me, “I kind of fell into internal auditing. I thought I’d try it for a year then move on, but I became very passionate about it.” By the way Mike, auditors also have a great sense of humor. When they saw my face they laughed, and laughed…

  • richard

    Ha ha. Yes, Mike, I learned that auditors are very perceptive – and they too have passion for their work. Scott White, internal auditor and advisory board chairman, said to me, “I kind of fell into internal auditing. I thought I’d try it for a year then move on, but I became very passionate about it.” By the way Mike, auditors also have a great sense of humor. When they saw my face they laughed, and laughed…

  • Taha

    Congratulations Richard! I think there’s an important thing to pick up from your experience. If you work very hard on something, then you minimize enormously the chance of failing. Even if you aren’t at 100% of your capacities (nervous,stressed) you’ll succeed. Many people would say that you were lucky, but you improvised in such conditions, and that means hard work provides luck! I mean, working hard is like a shield that protects you from bad surprises. (Sorry for my bad english. I’m Moroccan and I’ve been learning it for only 2 years. I wish you can understand what I wrote.)

  • Taha

    Congratulations Richard! I think there’s an important thing to pick up from your experience. If you work very hard on something, then you minimize enormously the chance of failing. Even if you aren’t at 100% of your capacities (nervous,stressed) you’ll succeed. Many people would say that you were lucky, but you improvised in such conditions, and that means hard work provides luck! I mean, working hard is like a shield that protects you from bad surprises. (Sorry for my bad english. I’m Moroccan and I’ve been learning it for only 2 years. I wish you can understand what I wrote.)

  • richard

    Hi Taha. I like the way you said, “Working hard is like a shield that protects you from bad surprises.” It’s true.

  • richard

    Hi Taha. I like the way you said, “Working hard is like a shield that protects you from bad surprises.” It’s true.