By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting (Pty) Ltd
I know that this is supposed to be my motivation spot for the week, but this week I am not quoting anyone, and although to me it is still “inspiration” as I am trying to inspire respect for people who have tonnes of experience, who know what they are doing, I am really angry. Arrogance is a very dangerous emotion, especially when you are starting out and should be looking for all the help that you can get.
Let me start at the beginning . . .
I am an avid Idols fan – Idols where-ever, American Idols, British Idols and obviously South African Idols. I have watched this year’s production right from the very beginning, often with my hands clasped tightly over my ears because of the ‘pain’ of listening to the singing of some people who very definitely have no idea what singing should sound like!
I obviously have my opinion and my favourites and I am entitled to that. I often don’t agree with the judges and jump up and down in irritation and frustration when they praise someone that I think made a total mess of a perfectly good song or when they disparage someone who I think made a pretty damn good effort.
The thing is though, I am not taking any part in the competition, other than that of spectator. I have the power to vote for my favourites and also with my remote – I am not compelled to watch the show if I don’t want to.
Having said that though the contestants are part of the whole process. Last night I was absolutely gob smacked at one of the contestants (who just by the way is not one of my favourites) who made a total hash of a song and then when he was criticized by all of the judges turned around to the presenter of the show, when he asked “what do you think of the judges comments” and said “I’m so over them!” This was accompanied by a dismissive wave of his arm and a shrug of his shoulders.
Now I know that criticism is often a very bitter pill to swallow, especially if it was something that we didn’t want to hear, but this little upstart’s arrogance made my blood boil. The four judges, who have been in the industry for many years are successful and hugely so. Surely if they did not know what they were doing, they would have fallen by the wayside a long time ago? The music industry is one of the toughest that there is and yet this youngster, who is not only wet behind the ears, who is definitely not the greatest singer in the competition and is in my opinion a ‘little boy’ had the nerve to disrespect these judges publically!
His lack of experience is clear – he does not realize that these are the people, whether he wins or loses the competition, who could put his name on the ‘music map’ of South Africa. They all have huge influence in the music industry and singularly or collectively they could kill any hint of him doing anything here.
How short sighted! How arrogant! How rude!
The lesson in this though, is that there will be times, in whatever we do, that we will hear things that we do not wish to hear! Be that as it may, there are people who have not only survived in the business, but who have been or are immensely successful.
They haven’t become successful by being wrong!
These are the people that we need to look up to, to learn from, to keep ‘sweet’ so that we may continue to learn from their experience, irrespective of whether we agree with them or not. Listen to what they say, learn from their experience and their wisdom, and above all respect them, if for nothing else, for the fact they have become successful against all odds!
Here endth the lesson for the week!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
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