What Have You Done For Others Lately?

Guest post by: Michael Hume
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Those Economists Are Just Funnin' With Us - By Michael Hume

Life Is Not About Keeping Yourself Entertained Back in my twenties and early thirties, I was a professional onstage performer. The great benefit that goes with being good enough (and I was JUST good enough) to be a professional is that you get to work with professionals. What's the difference? A pro knows she has a job to do, and that it's about leaving the audience feeling the way the playwright intended. An amateur, on the other hand, is in it for himself. He does it because it's fun. Some amateurs can occasionally get paid to perform, and some pros will sometimes donate their work... so it's not about the money. It's about the attitude.

Stanislavsky, a guy who knew a lot about theater, once said that there were two kinds of actors: "those who revive onstage, and those who revive backstage." I think I observed the same categorization in my experience with professionals and amateurs during my theater career, and I believe I took some important lessons from that experience that later served me well in my efforts to coach business leaders.

One lesson was during a dinner-theater production of "Camelot," the famous old musical. We had a great professional cast, a higher-than-usual budget, and a large stage to work with... so the director had several truckloads of dirt brought in, and the crew created a "real" forest landscape onstage. The prop master worked hours to create "mugs" out of actual hollowed-out tree branches, from which we drank "mead." It was awesome.

Now, I'm all for having fun in your work,as long as you don't let it get in the way of the mission. But some of my "Camelot" colleagues clearly crossed the line: during certain musical numbers, they played a "secret game," the object of which was to kick clumps of dirt into the tea cups of the little old ladies sitting at the stage-front tables. I'm sure it was quite amusing - for the actors. The patrons were clearly not amused. Neither was I, since I was also a manager in the sales office at the theater and knew how much work was involved in getting such a large group of seniors to book tickets to our shows!

I remember storming into the dressing room, ripping off my wig and slamming it down, yelling at the offending colleagues. I'm sure I looked pretty funny, come to think of it, and I doubt my diatribe did anything to reduce the game-playing. But it did teach me a great lesson. I'd been guilty of goofing around during performances before, but I was much less likely to play games onstage after that. I remembered Stanislavsky's pronouncement, and decided to make myself have the discipline to be a true professional from that time forward. I grew up a little.

I've written before that there are two types of people - Entrepreneurs and Victims. In the theater business, I certainly met both types. Entrepreneurs take risks, work hard, and do everything they can to create and maintain companies to entertain patrons. Victims act as though the purpose of any theater enterprise is to employ, entertain, and take care of actors, and feel themselves ill-used if they aren't having fun at all times.

Are you the kind of leader who's in it for yourself? Do you see your job as a possession, even a privilege? If so, you're not likely to be much of an inspirational leader. The most inspiring leaders are the ones who are almost reluctant to assume the "power" of the position, who realize someone has to be the leader and are willing to step up, and who constantly maintain a sense of purpose about leading for the sake of others. Strong performers want to be inspired by such leaders, and will seek them out.

Want to be a true inspirational leader? Grow up a little, and act like one. As a leader, until you are truly in it for others, you're still an amateur.

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Those Economists Are Just Funnin' With Us - By Michael Hume

About the Author: Michael Hume

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Michael Hume is a speaker, writer, and consultant specializing in helping people maximize their potential and enjoy inspiring lives. As Founding Consultant of Agents of Personal Change (APC), LLC, he coaches executives and leaders in growing their personal sense of well-being through wealth creation and management, along with personal vitality. Those with an entrepreneurial spirit who want to make money "one less thing to worry about" can learn more about working with Michael at http://tinyurl.com/myownbiznow Anyone wanting to jump-start their vitality can browse through the best (and most travel-friendly) nutraceuticals on the market at http://www.vibeforme.com/239824 Michael and his wife, Kathryn, divide their time between homes in California and Colorado. They are very proud of their offspring, who grew up to include a homemaker, a rock star, a service talent, and a television expert. Two grandchildren also warm their hearts! Visit Michael's web site at http://michaelhume.net
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