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Inspirational Leadership: Start Something

Guest post by: Michael Hume

Article Overview: Years ago, I decided to start a business on the side, in the performing arts. I held auditions, picked some talented young singers, wrote and arranged several entertaining tunes, and launched a six-voice acappella group. In our fifteenth month, we booked twenty-two paid gigs, which is quite good....

Inspirational Leadership: Start Something

Even If it's Just A Party, If You Build It, People Will Come As if the Fourth of July isn't inspiring enough on its own, the holiday is downright amazing around our house. Since you have to be an inspired person to be an inspirational leader, I recommend to anyone seeking to build their inspirational leadership that they start some sort of tradition like the one we have on Independence Day.

Years ago, I decided to start a business on the side, in the performing arts. I held auditions, picked some talented young singers, wrote and arranged several entertaining tunes, and launched a six-voice acappella group. In our fifteenth month, we booked twenty-two paid gigs, which is quite good.

In that business, you have to be prepared for attrition. Four years after start-up, I had an entirely new group of singers to break in. As they ramped-up on the material, I looked around for "low-risk" public performances we could take on. I didn't want to dilute the brand I'd built, so I hit upon the idea of creating "free" gigs through which the audience could get to know the new group without having to take a chance by buying a ticket. Since our speciality was outdoor shows, I wanted to create at least one show during which the group could "practice" in front of a live audience. I decided to host a neighborhood party on July 4, right in our front yard, and entice an audience to show up by providing hot dogs and beverages.

People showed up for the free food, and stayed for the music. That was twelve years ago, and we've hosted the party every year since, even for the last five years since the acappella group went "dormant."

That first year, we had maybe three dozen guests, and many of those were family and friends of the singers. I think our peak was over 200 guests a few years ago, and this week we had 125, which is about average.

Every year features five afternoon hours of hamburgers, hot dogs, pop, beer, socializing, and entertainment - all free. The Wife and I do end up in the hole money-wise, but we still think it's worthwhile. It's an awesome party.

Over the years I've hosted several different "acts" in the July 4 entertainment line-up. One of our dear friends once sang with The Platters, and he's done several hours of entertainment during the party over the years. Even though they are always heavily booked on The Fourth, I've always had a barbershop quartet as a contributor (until I couldn't find one this year). We've had a variety of bands. But over the years, our rock-star son Stephan has become the true headliner of the event. He somehow takes time out from his duties as an entrepreneur (he runs a rock school), and not only helps set up and take down the party, but provides a lot of the entertainment. This week, he and a couple of his buddies did it all... and the audience raved.

For the first time, we had a painter at the party. Stephan brought one of his friends who's a talented artist... the guy set up an easel next to the "stage" and worked on a beautiful abstract in oil throughout the party. And, at the end, refusing our offers of cash, he made a gift of the painting to The Wife and me.

It was an inspiring afternoon for everyone, and though our friends and neighbors include liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, young people and older folks... no one gave even a passing thought to the things that divide us. For five hours Monday, we all took a break from that stuff, and just enjoyed each others' company as Americans.

Be an entrepreneur. Even if you don't start a business, start something... maybe even a party. You can't find a better source for inspiration, or a better chance to "practice" your inspirational leadership.

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Article Tags: entrepreneurship, health wealth and happiness, inspirational leadership, personal responsibility



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