The Vegas Performer Lesson
I recently kicked off a training for leaders across the country where I asked if any of them had been to a show on the Las Vegas Strip.
Everyone raised their hands.
The group was universally impressed with what they saw: energy, precision, and awe inspiring entertainment.
I then asked them how many of them had performed themselves on the Strip.
No one raised their hands, except for me.
I shared my experience in 1996 at the Stardust Casino when the Badgers played UNLV. We performed a couple of shows that were well attended, and I was very excited to be a part of the experience.
Mike Leckrone, our director, shared a lesson from the experience: Vegas performers put on the same show every day, just like we would play "On Wisconsin" and other songs over and over again.
Whether the audience was seeing us for the first time, or they liked what they saw so much that they saw us again, it was imperative that we didn’t get bored or just go through the motions.
The same holds true when you are at work. Some of your meetings, presentations and interactions could be the hundredth or thousandth time you’ve done something, but for the person in the audience or in the meeting, it could be their first interaction.
For those on your team or supported by your leadership, it could be an opportunity to inspire them to reach for the stars, get back on track or hear that someone cares about them.
For some, being on stage can be scary. But for those who have taken on the calling of leadership, it’s an opportunity to shine.
While you may never perform in Cirque du Soleil or the Blue Man Group on the Las Vegas Strip, you still have an opporunity to make a lasting impact when you give your best.
What are some examples in your work or life where you could follow the Vegas performer lesson of showing up and giving your best every day?
Learn in the flow of life.
Jason
PS: Our UW Band performances were so special that they tore down the Stardust hotel…well, that was 11 years later. But I usually leave that tidbit out when I tell the story for impact. 😉
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