I'm reminded of Mac Davis' 1980 hit song, "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble" and the opening line "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way." While we can all smile, what happens when you're the focus of attention, accolades, and awards?
One thing's for sure – you start believing you're special – not just special, but more special than anyone else. We've seen so many lives shattered as the result of a pattern of never never-ending praise and recognition over their stardom.
Go into the office of any powerful person and no doubt you'll see the walls adorned with photos, plaques, certificates, degrees, commissions, proclamations, ribbons, medals, and all sorts of attention getting acknowledgments that you're in the midst of someone who has achieved, accomplished, and been awarded.
Leaders in business, charity, government, and communities are no less susceptible to rising to a level of celebrity. When you have authority, make the important decisions, and are told how wonderful you are, it can get out of hand.
There is a seduction with power, titles, money, and groupie-like attention that comes from people wanting to have their picture taken with you. There's something about having dinners given in your honor, toasts and roasts, plaques and proclamations, albeit sincere – and perhaps well earned – it's hard to stay grounded.
Staying grounded means being on guard and knowing that your rise to fame can be jeopardized by one foolish decision or act that breaches ethics, morals, or legal parameters of your industry, community, or society. It is the constant vigilance and reminder of the internal moral compass that must be at the heart of every decision.
Fame or fortune that comes with rising to a leadership position brings the need for more healthy paranoia, knowing that people are watching and some even involved in seeing you succumb to temptations.
No one is above stumbling, so be on guard, especially if you've just been notified of another award to be bestowed in recognition.
Very special attention should be paid to recognition that is suspect, undeserved, or dubious in its justification.
By the way, Mac's song ends with "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble but I'm doing the best that I can." So do the best you can.
One sure-fire way is knowing no one achieves anything without having been challenged, encouraged, or supported by someone else. What we accomplish is the result of those who came before us and are with us in our daily pursuits.
Lead on. Be proud. Be confident. But be ever vigilant in knowing you're fallible and no award or recognition absolves you from the human condition – in fact it can worsen it.
SPECIAL NOTE 10/9/09: This article was written in 2007 due to the author's observations that every scandal-ridden executive of late had been recognized as an award-winning leader, often just months, prior to their ethical misconduct. Today President Obama, having been nominated before taking office, has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize. The award was given for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Clearly it is a curious recognition for potential rather than performance, placing President Obama's standing in a precariously defensive position. |
