Spotlight

We live in an uber-connected world of 24-hour news coverage, endless talk show analysis, and instantaneous access to events from around the globe.  In the glare of the public spotlight, everyone from our professional athletes to our politicians, to our movie stars, has their slightest movements dissected and scrutinized in perpetual media frenzy.  This comes with the territory for our public figures and it is contagious.   Those covering these public figures scramble to create a sound bite or find that perfect catchphrase to bask in their own 15 minutes of fame.  And with the rapid proliferation of social media, we now all have the potential to be a “star”.  Snap a selfie with Pope Francis and post it on Instagram!    Land a movie deal from your latest Vine!  How many “likes” can you get on Facebook and how many “retweets” can you garner on Twitter?  The world is revolving around us as we search for an audience to validate our star power!

I don’t want to suggest that social media is the root of all evil.  Quite the opposite.  It has so many useful and life-changing applications that make our world a smaller place and eliminate the barriers to progress.   But if we are not careful, this can create a perception that we must constantly be at the center of the universe.  As managers, since we must be the stars, it becomes tempting to take credit for the work of our team and promote ourselves over the success of the project.  As teachers and coaches, it becomes tempting to only work with best athletes or students since that will give us the most exposure to public accolades.  As parents, we run the risk of leveraging our child’s athletic or academic excellence to increase our own status and recognition in the community.  When the spotlight never stops shining, all perspective is lost.

If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path. –Ancient Proverb

If we are to maintain any sense of balance in our lives, we must realize that it is not all about us!  The most effective managers defer credit to their team and work in the background to quietly remove barriers and create an atmosphere of growth.  The teachers who change lives are the ones who faithfully make themselves available outside of class to inspire the student who has lost his or her way.  The coaches who become legends work before and after practice with the athletes who have given up on themselves.  And the well-adjusted parents recognize the importance of working selflessly with their children and remaining humble in the face of their child’s own success.  Your greatest accomplishments will not be performed in front of a massive audience.  Your most satisfying work will not receive a national award.  Your legacy will not play out in a Hall of Fame induction ceremony.  But away from the spotlight, you will know that you changed the world by following your passion and making at least one person better.  Let that person be the star of your show.

If we are constantly playing to an audience and preoccupied with how others perceive us, we cannot achieve our own goals.  In fact, we won’t even recognize our own goals.  Eventually, no matter how successful we think we are, we will hit a setback in the journey.  During this time, the spotlight will dim and you will feel all alone.  If you have lived your life seeking attention and making it all about you, this period can be especially desolate and devastating.  But if you have given support to others, been a mentor to others and put your team’s needs above your own, you will bounce back with ease.  After all, by helping others become the stars, you have built a loyal support network that will catapult you back to success.  In this moment, you will find your true character.  In this moment, you will find your resiliency.  In this most difficult moment, you will now feel like the star of the show!

Stay resilient!  Keep moving forward!  Help others achieve their goals and do not lose sight of your own!  And never forget, the true stars shine when the spotlight dims!

Until next week, keep smiling.