My younger brother wants to be a rock star. Not metaphorically, as in a rock star of business but literally, as in electric guitars, record contracts, and screaming fans.
While I was home for Christmas last year, we started talking about his plans for college and the future. Like most 17-year-olds, he has a healthy notion of what he wants to study in college – that is, he’s frustrated and hasn’t a clue. It’s especially difficult for him because he isn’t as academically inclined as I am, a fact of which our parents never cease to remind him.
“Stop worrying about grades and majors,” I told him. “Start at the end, where you have the life you want, then work backwards to figure out what you should do now.”
“I want to be a musician,” he said.
“That’s great,” I replied. “Now, what are you doing to get yourself from here to rock star?”
Ability Doesn’t Equal Success
He shrugged. “Practicing guitar, I guess.” Then his attitude blackened. “But it’s not fair. All these musicians get famous, and they’re not even good!” (Author’s note: I’ve taken the liberty of cleaning up some adolescent language. The content remains the same.)
I smiled because the conversation was going in precisely the direction I had hoped it would. And because I enjoy being the wise big brother. “That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Why do you suppose certain less talented people become famous and successful while so many brilliant people never receive the recognition they deserve?”
My brother sighed. “I dunno. They got lucky, maybe?”
“Some of them did, sure. But waiting for good luck isn’t much of an action plan. If talent and practice aren’t enough to become successful, what else is there?”
Two Universally Useful Skills
“Here’s my advice,” I continued. “Instead of agonizing over what your major should be, start by studying things you know will be useful. And it just so happens that no matter what job you want, there are two skill sets that will always benefit you.”
I held up two fingers and paused for dramatic effect.
“Number one: communication. That means writing -” (he groaned) “- public speaking, and showmanship. And number two: sales and marketing. Lacking these skills, by the way, are two big reasons why some talented people never succeed.”
“What do you mean?” asked my brother.
“Even if you were the greatest guitarist in the world, if you don’t know how to get noticed, you’ll never be as successful as you want to be. Remember Susan Boyle? She’s a good singer but not the best. Yet because she took advantage of a huge opportunity to market herself, she’s now breaking album sales records. So yes, spend time practicing your music, because musical ability is important, but also spend time learning how to persuade people and market your music – then go out and apply those skills.
“Being a rock star isn’t just about being a great musician. It’s also about your ability to find an audience and take advantage of opportunities to get noticed.
“The best part is that communication and marketing skills will help you no matter what you study in college or what your future job is. If you work in a big corporation, your audience is your boss and your co-workers. If you’re a small business owner, your audience is your customer base and your investors. Knowing how to make a solid impression and spread your message is what gets you that promotion, that contract, that one big break.”
***
In the coming weeks, I’ll be writing more about some of the themes running through this brief conversation – themes such as remarkability, talent, life-planning, and education. For now, I’d like to leave you with a few burning questions:
- Why don’t talent and ability always lead to success? Should ability always bring success? If so, how do we find and nurture talents in ourselves and others?
- How do we build frameworks to help us achieve long-term life goals? Where is the line between purposeful planning and the “illusion of control?”
- Why is higher education increasingly disconnected from real work and real success? Is the problem confined to colleges and universities, or does it run deeper? Most importantly, how can we realign our educational systems with a world where creativity, independence, and personal drive have become the most sought-after life/job skills?
7 Comments on “Rock Stars, College, and Communication”
says:
Why don’t talent and ability always lead to success? I like this question… I know a lot of talented people that aren't following their dreams and here's what (I feel) is holding them back: everyday life and responsibilities, laziness and feeling stuck.
says:
Good stuff as usual Jeffery, as this is my first day back to collage in about ten years the title struck home for me. Your thoughts about taking advantage of opportunity and learning how to find an audiance goes so far beyond rock and roll. Any of us who want to be more then a drive shaft rather then a cog need to get noticed and find the right people to listen to our ideas. Thanks for the reminder and putting it so clearly.
says:
Very nice post Jeffrey, and I agree with those two basic skills.
I do not think ability should always bring success, although the type/form of ability sure should. If you are an effective speaker then why not. But if you know how to mix two substances together and get a third, heck anyone can do that…
I think disconnection from the real world though is something that is connected to educational facilities and outside of them. Most people are educated growing up thinking that finishing a Masters/PhD. will get them the job of their dreams or an MBA as well. The fact is most schools do not teach the necessary skills, and I think in my own opinion because their is a generational gap between the professors and us.
Most Professors grew up in a time when there was no technology, only face-to-face contact, and so developing good communication/advertising skills was easy for them. The new generation is sadly lacking this vital skill as we are all constantly tweeting/IMing/text messaging etc… and thus are losing these vital skills.
Would love to hear others thoughts on this.
says:
I'm always wary about talking about things with “should”. “Should” means we are comparing something to an ideal that has no direct connection with reality. Should talent=success? Of course. But thinking about what should be is just a waste of time. its better to think about what is. I think the two skills you mentioned are key, but i think the bigger one, especially for musicians, is networking/connections. It doesnt really matter how good you are because there will always be someone better. But what does matter, and what will shape your career, is who you know. There is just too much talent for us to spend time searching out the best. So we consume what is put in front of us. Talent is secondary, and ironically only relevant after you succeed in networking and connections.
says:
I will remember those two skill sets Jeffrey. Perhaps that's what I've been missing in the pursuance of my goals. :-)
says:
Great Post. This is such a common roadblock and I think that everyone needs to figure out an approach to navigate around it. It is easy to get discouraged because you feel your goals aren't being realized quickly enough. However, you do have to find a way and always be willing to give everything you have to where you are trying to go. I really thought your recommendation to start at the end, and then work backwards to figure out what you should do now was right on point. When we know where we are going and we make a plan that provides us direction and guidance each day, it is easier to effectively direct our efforts and always remember what we are working toward.
says:
Hey Jeffrey,
I wanted you to know that I enjoyed this article and I featured it on my weekly link round up.
-michael