Competence, when reliable – and especially when exceptional – can lead to popularity or fame. However, chasing popularity ahead of competence can make you prone to avoidable mistakes e.g. going inadequately prepared for a speaking gig, and goofing up.
Now that, could also make you popular – but it would be for the wrong reasons!
In this issue of my speaking IDEAS newsletter, I discuss 2 reasons why chasing popularity ahead of reliable (and preferably “exceptional”) competence, exposes you to the risk of looking bad as an expert-who-speaks.
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Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter Date: Monday 10th June 2013 No:93 Title: Aim to Be Reliably Competent – Not Popular. Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [234-803-302-1263] Blog URL: http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog Archive (For E-mail only version started 14th May 2012): Click here to view Archive (For Blog version started 24th September 2011): Click here Hi, Please find below the latest issue of my Speaking IDEAS newsletter.
No. 93: Aim to Be Reliably Competent – Not Popular.**** ********** NB: If you ever find yourself wondering what else I’ve written, some days after you’ve read THIS Speaking Ideas newsletter I send out on a Monday, here’s what you can do to find out: Point your browser to www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/sdnuggets to read at least ONE new post added to my SD Nuggets blog on a different category from Tuesday till Saturday (sometimes even Sundays) in line with this publishing schedule ********** Competence, when reliable – and especially when exceptional – can lead to popularity or fame. However, chasing popularity ahead of competence can make you prone to avoidable mistakes e.g. going inadequately prepared for a speaking gig, and goofing up. Now that, could also make you popular – but it would be for the wrong reasons! In this issue of my speaking IDEAS newsletter, I discuss 2 reasons why chasing popularity ahead of reliable (and preferably “exceptional”) competence, exposes you to the risk of looking bad as an expert-who-speaks. 1. Premature Popularity Can Cause Subtle – But Potentially Costly – DistractionsCelebrities in various areas of endeavor know fame can be a double edged sword. So they’ve learnt to take necessary precautions in their daily lives. Some of us do not appreciate the value of having “unknown” faces. We can walk down the street anytime we like, to the bar, or to watch a local football team play in the neighborhood. Not many people – except friends, family or associates – would take any notice of us, talk less of calling out to others to say “look!”. Michael Jackson was often referred to as a mega star. He could not dare go out in public that way. Just like many other famous people still with us today. Thankfully, popularity comes in degrees. I doubt I could tolerate such loss of my personal freedom that Jackson had to endure. But we all have our passions. He achieved results in his chosen area of expertise, that made him that popular. When what you do puts you in the public’s eye, popularity tends to be a natural outcome of demonstrating reliable competence – over a reasonable period of time.For Jackson and other celebrities, their popularity, which came as a result of what they did(do) so well, also posed (poses) a serious source of distraction. You cough, and it becomes news. You decide to change your attire, or car, and someone comes up with a creative interpretation in the media. Suddenly everyone has something new to say about you, or what you did – and sometimes it may not be so nice. Okay, so that’s more common in the entertainment industry. But famous people in more formal vocations (e.g. public speaking) also get plenty of attention from the public. This is why it pays to FIRST devote time and energy to honing your skills, until you’re able to flawlessly deliver solutions or results to those you serve. If popularity subsequently results from that, you’ll be relatively safe, since doing more of what you do, AFTER it arrives, will be easy for you. However if you go around drawing attention to yourself as a “superstar” of sorts in your field, without gaining reliable competence, you set yourself up to look bad – eventually (emphasis on reliable). 2. You Can Mistake Your Premature Popularity for AchievementSecondly, chasing popularity can make you stop striving to improve – you start thinking you’ve arrived. Especially once your efforts to be popular make people start paying more attention to you. I read a quote credited to a famous writer. It admonished aspiring or up and coming writers not to mistake recognition for achievement. In other words, don’t get carried away by the applause of your admirers. Focus on moving to the next level of accomplishment. Look at great achievers in the world. Even when they have been acknowledged as being the best at what they do, they never really stop trying to do more. No they don’t. Instead they strive to create new value to add to what exists. And sometimes they invest energy and time in helping others learn how to do what they have done. Yet, some relative newcomers in different fields (including the speaking business) make one big splash in the pond, and suddenly think they’ve done it all. There is a big difference between “having potential” and “actualizing” it.For instance, a person can arrive with talent and abilities never before seen or heard of. However, long term success achievement cannot be compared to one flash in the pan – no matter how big the flash is. Reproducibility & repeatability are crucial for demonstrating reliable competence! You have to be able to deliver to expectations over and over, to prove you’re reliably competent. And this applies in ANY area of endeavor. So, even when people begin to announce that you’re the next big thing, it pays to focus on actually BECOMING that big thing, rather than playing to the gallery. Final WordsYou can’t just do one big thing, and then think you can ride on the back of that, (followed by other relatively mediocre showings), to achieve long term relevance. People who try to do that rarely end up well – for obvious reasons! The late Zig Ziglar gained worldwide fame by FIRST demonstrating reliable competence. Robert Kiyosaki also achieved global recognition the same way. Both handle(d) their popularity well as a result. Many other examples abound (including that of this renowned veteran in the speaking business), that confirm it pays to achieve (exceptional) competence first, rather than chase popularity. Doing otherwise could lead to costly negative consequences. Need More Details of How to Make The Above Ideas Work for YOU?If you need more specific details of how to make use of the ideas I’ve shared in this newsletter, send me a message using this request form (with “Re: Aim to Be Reliably Competent, Not Popular.” in the subject line).
Have a lovely week!
Tayo K. Solagbade* Self-Development/Performance Improvement Specialist *Sole Agent For Burt Dubin’s Speaker Mentoring Service In Africa Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – Tayo Solagbade – works as a multipreneurial freelance writer providing zero risk article and report writing support for website owners, while travelling slowly across West Africa as a Location Independent Entrepreneur. He’s presently based in Benin Republic, where he’s preparing an English-French Language Guide, City Travel Guides, and a Commercial Rabbit Farming Guide. In a previous life, before leaving to become self-employed, Tayo served for seven years as a high performing manager in Guinness Nigeria. He rose from Shift Brewer, to Training & Technical Development Manager, then later acted in senior management roles as Production Manager and Technical Manager. When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent). For a limited time, Tayo is available to speak to your group or organization for a moderate fee. Send e-mail to tayo at tksola dot com. You can also visit www.tksola.com to learn more. Connect with him on Twitter @tksola.com and Facebook. ================== Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?Here’s a tip: Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his website NOW and submit a contact form message telling him what challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like him to help you. Tell him I sent you, and you’ll get a pleasant surprise offer from him. Comments?What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts! Share this issue!Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.
What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class). At least that’s how I like to think of them! All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple So, make your choice:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here] Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.
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