Dave WordenTriumph Business Solutions · Founder

Pranking Bob Burg: The Secret Word Challenge!

19 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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In this informal, first‑person anecdote, Dave Worden recounts a backstage prank he played on fellow speaker Bob Burg, author of The Go‑Giver. Burg is described as a impeccably dressed, gentlemanly presenter who always behaves courteously. While Burg is about to go onstage, Worden whispers a “secret word” challenge: Burg must insert the phrase “skid mark” into his speech. Burg accepts, quickly incorporates the word into his talk, and delivers it with perfect timing, glancing back at Worden with a triumphant look. The story highlights Burg’s polished public persona, the spontaneous, playful dynamic between the two speakers, and the humor generated by the unexpected word, ending with Worden’s amused admiration of Burg’s quick wit.

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One of my favorite speakers, Bob Burg. Bob Burg wrote the book called The Go-Giver. Bob Burg is the consummate gentleman. He wears the 3-piece suit, is perfectly primed. If he's sitting and a woman comes in the room, he instantly stands, he opens the door for everybody. But you can play with him. Bob and I are speaking at an event together and he's gonna go on right prior to me. And then there's some other speakers going after. I grab Bob, he's like, they're announcing him on stage. So that means he's got about 5 seconds before he has to walk out. I said, Bob, Bob, real quick. He goes, yeah, what was it? He goes, the secret word. I'm like, you have to say the secret word on stage. All of us have a secret word. And he goes, what's my secret word? I said, skid mark. You have to say skid mark. And he goes, he fixed it. Okay. He delivers a speech and he throws in skid marks so well, so perfect. And you see him kind of look offstage back at me. He's like, take that, you mofo. I was like, damn, Bob Burke. Bob Burke just schooled me.