Tweet

Sensationalism is not Expertise!

Guest post by: Rebel Brown

Article Overview: Anyone can be sensational. You don't need experience, intelligence, savvy or much else to throw mud.

Sensationalism is not Expertise!

Scott McKain wrote a post on Friday that got me going, Intellectual Dishonesty. It's an eloquent rant concerning the growing negativity and sensationalism created by supposed industry 'gurus', all for the sake of ratings and followers. IN the end that behavior all boils down to MONEY and EGO. As I said in my comment to Scott's post - once you sell out your integrity for money - we all know what you are. Now the only question is, "What's your price?" Scott put it on the table when it comes to selling out our integrity for the big bucks - something I personally see happening all around me. Many of us have been discussing this sad state on our own blogs or behind the scenes of social media.

I am not about to try and steal Scott's thunder here. He nailed the topic right between the eyes. So go read his post. It is an ABSOLUTE MUST READ for anyone who would think of hiring an 'expert', or for all of us who follow said experts and wonder about their motivation.

So why am I writing?

Scott focused on the industry Gurus - the A-List bloggers and social media-powered gurus who are selling out to reach for fame and fortune.

I don't think the issue of sensationalism stops there. I see it all around me. Think about it:

* What about the team leader in your company that is constantly pointing to that latest problem and waving their hands like chicken little - the sky has fallen and we can't get up? Or the 'entrenched leader who disses every idea by the new kids on the block - creating sensational visions of why it just won't work? Where's the expertise there? All it takes is one or two highly vocal, respected-by-others employees to strike fear into the hearts of a company - all because they went sensational instead of into rational problem solving mode. Most of the time those folks want more attention, more praise or they are trying to stop a change that would threaten their world.

* Then there are the leaders who create drama and excuses for why they can't meet the goals, why that new product is failing, why the board should give them more money because that big bad competitor is playing so unfairly. r the internal sensationalism - pointing to another leader or team and creating negative drama around their capabilities or work - just to draw attention to their own efforts. As leaders, we are role models for our employees and partners. What kind of role model fuels sensationalism and negativity just to cover their own flaws or make themselves appear bigger? WOW.

* And now to one of my current personal peeves - the everyday sensationalism or just plain negative attacking comments that have become cool in our world. Want an example? We attack greats like Eric Clapton and The Who because they are now the Geritol generation still performing on stage. How dare they? Lets insult them for being older and having the gall to keep doing what they love. While we buy their tickets. I have to wonder how many of a making the sensationalist comments to and oh-so smarmy comments just to make themselves appear 'cool' will ever reach the fame and fortune of these fabulous stars. None....

Yet we all see this, don't we? I know I do. It's always bugged me,this need to create sensationalism to ward off what we fear, make ourselves bigger, or just plain control a situation. Lately it feels like it's more prevalent than ever.

Sensationalism cannot replace expertise and focus.

We all go through that cocky, 'I know more than you' stage. At least a lot of us do. But we grow out of it by our early 30s. I have to wonder if that's the case anymore.

What happened to focusing on solving problems, creating positive value, raising our standards higher, respecting those who have worked hard and come before us, seeking to find the value in all things? That's what it meant to be a leader once upon a time. Leaders direct others to new improved levels of thinking and being. They lift others up. They surely don't put them down.

Anyone can be sensational.

It's really easy to find the negative and create energy around it. You don't need experience, intelligence, savvy or much else to throw mud. All it takes is a negative attitude and a drive to be heard (and seen) above all others. in that case - the bigger the sensational claims, the more you win.

It takes expertise, integrity and perseverance to find a solution. Focusing on the upside isn't easy sometimes. But that's what a true leader does. A true expert solves problems, improves their followers lives, supports growth and expansion.

Check back tomorrow as I discuss the 8 Signs of a Leader (or expert). Signs that we're focused on the positive, productive side of the equation - in integrity and professionalism.

Guess what? Sensationalism is not on the list.

Related Articles
  8 Signs of a Positive Leader
  You Create Your Own Reality
  How Much Will You Invest In Yourself?
  The Danger of Knowing
  Are You Feeling like an Also-Ran when You want to be a Top Producer?
  Cash In On Your Expertise
  Developers Changing The Old Business Models
  Making A Difference
  My Thinking Was Flawed
  No One Should Be Indispensable... So Plan For the Unexpected
  To Get Promoted Try Promoting Yourself: Selling You Ideas, Your Vision and Yourself
  Interviewing for a Job – Some Dress Basic No-Nos
  Focus on the Most Fascinating Thing
  Why an Outstanding Resume is Not Enough to Get an Interview: Reason 1
  How To Create An Advisory Board
  Market Your Expertise Online Through Teleseminars
  Expertise and the "IT" factor
  Where is This Country's Integrity --- Navy Seals
  Solo Entrepreneur Marketing Strategy: Give Away What You Know (and Lots of it!)
  Gurus Don't Need Business Cards

Article Tags: business leaders, defy gravity, leadership, responsibility, Sensationalism



Related Forum Posts
More profile options - [quote="Evan":11og2qr1]Hello everyone - I wanted to drop another reminder about the profile options - you can now add your favorite entrepreneur and favorite business book which I'm glad to see people doing! Any other suggestions for new fields to add so we can learn more about our fellow community members? How about favorite business quote?[/quote:11og2qr1] Hi Evan, To build on Aaron's comments, you could add a field called "Area of Expertise" so that people will know what value a particular member can bring to the table. Another form of "social glue" would be to display a user's interests because people like to do business with and talk to people they like above all else.
Seeking Angels: Australian FMCG retail and distribution - GroCo.com.au is our online grocery endeavour aimed at plugging the gap between the existing A$900M and potential A$2.2B Australian domestic market size in the online grocery market. The A$71.9B domestic fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) retail industry is currently 70% dominated by only 2 players: Woolworths and Coles. GroCo will establish its online grocery retail store, market and deliver to a fixed area within Melbourne to start. Warehousing as well as cold-chain and ambient logistics will be managed in-house. Staged expansion that follows will see the business operating across the entire Melbourne within 1.5 years, and nationally by 2015Q1. Forecasted turnover is A$858M per annum by fiscal year (FY) 2015 with a net profit margin of 3.1% after tax, and A$1,689M by FY2020 with a net profit margin of 4.9%. Five year net present value (NPV) based on cash flow less 30% corporate tax is A$19.3M, and for ten years is A$283.6M. Compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in five years is 31.0%, per annum and for ten years is 124.3% per annum. Return on investment (ROI) for five years is 3.9x and for ten years is 56.7x. GroCo can be successful in the online grocery market space as it will address several pertinent issues such as price-points, limited stock range, unsatisfactory logistics, supplier ire of retail monopoly, and existing web store usability problems. This business can be successful also because it starts on a clean slate without any conflict of interests as do the major players with retail property investment interests. The business can be built in the short-term by emulating the range and price points set out by existing retailers. However, long-term success and differentiation strategy that needs to be implemented include developing alternative income streams, range diversification and expansion, driving ultra-small package distribution efficiencies, and creative discounting. GroCo has in the last 6 months established the commitment of circa 100 local and international suppliers to support our business model and to trade directly. The business can thus start-up and start trading within 2 months of securing funding. Market assessment, business feasibility and financial projections over 10-years are also complete. 7 key persons are willing to forego their comfortable senior professional careers to join GroCo upon startup. Expertise of these men and women include general management, financial operation and management, purchasing, importing, trading, information technology (IT) as well as marketing. GroCo is seeking A$2M in startup funding in return for a 40% equity stake in the company, neg. Participation from the investor is optional. The investor may opt to divest or remain with the business after a five year period. Funds will be put towards hiring, infrastructure, marketing and inventory. Full business plans and financial projections available subject to signed confidentiality undertaking. Contacts: Vincent Tan (vincent@kossel.com.au and +61 449 950 795)


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

How To Master The Ins and Outs of Google+

When Your Smiling

Four Secrets to Earning Income as an Author

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.