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“Humble” is the new “black.”
About a month ago in a brainstorming session for New York singer, Alexandra Taveras, our team is thinking, “she’s too nice.” A while back, Taveras had the #1 hit on the Latin Billboard charts. With motherhood her priority, though, she’s spent the last ten years backing others - albeit great names like Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez and Thalia. Alexandra Taveras has her own long-time fans whom she thinks of as “family” and has even given one of them baby furniture. She can’t resist being a ‘giver’ to community.
In our solo project sessions with Taveras, her manager Jay Bildstein and music coordinator Chris Apostle, we’ve been encouraging the artist to develop more of an ego. Don’t misunderstand, she’s comes with some sass - after all she’s from the Bronx - but we thought a little more ‘diva’ might help her step into her own spotlight.
Until it dawned on us. Egos are passe’...like pastels. “Humble” is the new “black.”
I heard someone say - actually it’s in the bible - “Opposed are the proud and blessed are the humble.” Taveras is just fine without the big ego.
How about a reprieve from the usual chestpuffery?
How about some camaraderie?
In HBO favorite, Entourage, lovable Turtle quips, “A Ferarri? In this economy? People will think you’re a real douche.”
In the times we live in, with businesses and entrepreneurs struggling and with rising rates of homelessness, divorce and suicide...time to get over ourselves.
Same goes for companies and public personalities. How ‘bout a little less, “why we’re so (effing) great,” and a little more “how can we help you?”
Consider these times an opportunity to ease off the bashing and share - and bond - with communities. It'll pay dividends in the not-so long run when, perhaps, you have a vibrant community spreading the word on why you ARE so (effing) great.
Give us your take. How are you applying “humble?"
Posted under Business
This post was written by bridget on August 20, 2009
refreshing, nice post
Great insight and very true
I don’t think you ‘apply’ humble. It’s not like makeup. It’s either in you, or it’s not. In my opinion, truly humble people are 100% comfortable allowing others their time in the spotlight, and when it’s their turn to step up to center stage; they do so graciously. “Working at” being humble is as inauthentic as it gets. You shouldn’t have to try to be humble. It should just be…or not
And, frankly, it’s not about what people “think” you should do or not (that’s what PR flacks are for; spinning and changing or creating perceptions). If you feel like driving a Ferrari in this economy, so be it. A humble Ferrari driver doesn’t act like a douche by cutting people off, blowing past them or by ignoring the Toyota driver in front of him / her who is only trying to get somewhere too — albeit not as fast.
As far as the ‘how can we help you?’ message…I happen to agree the most humble among us are those who are servant leaders. If you’re comfortable in your own skin, being humble isn’t such a stretch. That’s my perspective anyway, humbly speaking.
Thanks, Ryan, Heath and Thom! Especially considering you’re all competitive and successful entrepreneurs.
Thom I totally agree that “it’s either in you or it’s not” but the suggestion that “humble” can’t be learned or worked on is off. It can be learned and applied.
This here is a timely call to action to ask folks - regardless of usual impulses - to take a look and consider others even if only while (alas) the economy’s in the shitter.
And we do see tons of the “fake humble” and I agree, it IS annoying.
The Ferrari is a metaphor, like the title.
I’m sure I’ll still be learning life lessons when I’m 90. Maybe then I’ll be driving the Ferrari (I’ll try to see above the steering wheel) and I promise not to cut you off. Reminds me of a mutual friend of ours who was recently cut off by a silver Mercedes with a *vanity* plate (wink-wink).
Thanks again, Guys!