Friends of Dave #186: stealing the show
The verdict on Hamilton and Lin-Manuel Miranda is in....
So those who tuned in last week will remember it was a BIG weekend in our house.
Not only were was my family joining the millions of people who were finally being introduced to Hamilton on Disney+, I was going to join the thousands of obnoxious, overly judgmental people who would see firsthand if they could get over their feelings that Lin-Manuel Miranda is just an annoying hack....
Well.....first, The Show. Not surprisingly, we all enjoyed it. I now get what the hype was about: a medley of catchy, fast, modern songs with a super talented cast creatively telling an engaging historical story based on exhaustively detailed source material (worth reading this summer if you have the chance, by the way).
While I appreciated viewing it from the comforts of my couch, I can only imagine what seeing some of the more emotionally charged numbers in person was like.
After seeing it all unfold, I also gained a ton of respect for both the creative talent and emotional intelligence of Mr. Miranda. I mean, he basically wrote an Eminem double album and mashed it up with a story set in colonial times, put it on Broadway with an ethnically diverse cast and got people to show up and care.
But even more impressive, to me, was how understated his performance was. Despite playing the title role, Miranda did not necessarily stand out as the driving force or focus but more of the tireless backbone that kept the story flowing.
The intricate production itself and the incredibly talented cast members were the big stars. And that clearly was by design.
Arguably, you could say that the person who stole the show was not the strong performance by the "Nationwide is on your side" Guy playing Aaron Burr but a character that was on stage for just about 9 minutes -- King George.
Again, this was carefully crafted by Miranda with an understanding that he could bring the audience to a place where this would happen and likely overshadow his own performance.
When you think about it, the art of being comfortable allowing others to "steal the show" is largely under appreciated these days, isn't it?
In an era where we are quick judge ourselves on how many "likes" and "followers" we get, we tend to put too much emphasis on how brightly the spotlight shines on us and not on how we can do more to ensure it shines on others.
As previously discussed in this space, leaders who embrace humility and teamwork and have the confidence and savvy knowing that the spotlight will come to them are the most appreciated. The are also the ones who see more sustained success.
If Miranda had simply written Hamilton as a vehicle to showcase his own talents with a weaker supporting cast, the show might get some quick buzz, but would not likely have been anywhere close to successful. He knows he's not that big or charismatic a performer to carry it.
But by using his talents to make it easier for others around him to shine and "steal" the show, Lin-Manuel Miranda enabled a much richer, more memorable and more everlasting result.
Think about the leaders you know that naturally are able do this -- and then think about those that aren't...
Needless to say, after viewing last weekend, I found myself a new fan of both the show and the author for very different reasons. So yes, begrudgingly I'll be back, like before....
You'll find some related stories on leadership, ego and humility below -- too good and timely to pass up. Have a great weekend everyone.
XOXO
Dave
Think on This...
Why You Should Stop Caring What Other People Think
We all care way too much what other people think of us. This is a LONG READ but a really good one, and it comes with some visual aids. Worth digging in if you have the time.
For Your Day Job...
Ego Is the Enemy of Good Leadership
Being a leader is supposed to be about selflessness, reflection, and courage. Goes with the theme in the preamble.
CEOs, Keep Your Arrogance in Check
Dig a hole, throw your ego into it, and pour concrete on top. Find humility instead.
Dave Balter almost ruined his start-up, BzzAgent, before it was bought for a reported $60 million. Some compelling and raw self-reflection -- worth checking out.
Brand marketing vs. performance marketing
“If you could only prioritize brand or performance, what would you pick?”
There are few philosophical stances that will influence everything about your marketing thereafter. Performance-driven companies optimize for immediate wins. Brand-driven companies optimize for brand equity. Both come with benefits and drawbacks. There are no right answers, but you do need to know who you are and the appropriate stage of growth for your company. Really good read (much thanks to FoD Erica Seidel for the share) -- something you and your teams are going to want to discuss.
Your Weekly Dose of Randomness...
How to choose a bottle of wine
Whether you are a newbie or consider yourself a connoisseur, always something new to learn here, Friends.
40 Different Ways People Eat Hot Dogs Around the World
Not included here is the unique, disgusting way teenage boys eat them....
Fireworks Accident Blows Off Tip Of Florida — www.theonion.com
The visual, the source and the word "Florida" are all you need to know this is a good one.
Post Office Delivery Trucks Keep Catching on Fire
On April 30, 2016, a United States Post Office letter carrier in Fall River, Massachusetts, left his truck to do a 20-minute loop by foot to deliver some mail. When he got back to the truck, the dashboard was on fire.
FUN FACT: Fall River is kinda like the "Florida of Massachusetts." So this is development is not surprising.
And The Last Word....
The History of the Ice Cream Truck — www.smithsonianmag.com
As innovations go, hard to argue that the Good Humor vehicle is as sweet as it gets.