Extra, Extra

I recently found a way to unravel the Six Degrees from Kevin Bacon formula. Put it on its ear, as a matter of fact.

A reminder – Some time ago it was posited that virtually everyone could link one’s self to Kevin Bacon by diagramming one’s network of contacts. I know so and so, who knows so and so, who worked as a volunteer at a fundraiser featuring Bacon in a celebrity appearance. That looks like three degrees of separation.

I joined the “Bacon Bunch” recently as a background artist appearing in the movie “Death Sentence,” due for release in 2007 and filmed in Columbia, SC. Background artist has a more appealing ring than “extra.” It is the classification of our ilk in the Screen Actors Guild contract. We artists are the scabs, with non-union wages to show for our scars.

Basically a background artist becomes a professional waiting room resident during filming. The profession requires patience and a penchant for sitting as scenes are set, lighting measured and finally the set cry of “rolling, quiet, background, action.”

We run through our pantomime paces time and time again, repeating the same facial expression and movements. Those of us who know for certain we are out of microphone range concoct whispered silly scenarios of dialog in an attempt to make our scene partner laugh.

The detail that the prop crew adheres to for each office cubicle for this scene is surprising - from family photos to paper clips. We cube dwellers play solitaire on “live” computers in between takes.

After three days of filming, the office scenes are finished and the background artists are done, having made new friendships, but never meeting the star. We are “off limits.”

We’ll be the ones meticulously watching the screen for a fleeting glimpse of ourselves and not at all surprised if we ended up on the editing room floor, or in the digital editor recycle bin.

Manners Matter

Since hanging my shingle as a consultant, I am ever more alert for business opportunities. Those of you who own or run a small business appreciate the multi roles you play in sales, marketing, accounting, human resources, etc. If it is to be, it is up to me!

After many years in corporate upper management aware of the critical role of sales, I have a newfound sales appreciation. Most prospects, when awakening on a beautiful day do not think, “I cannot wait to talk with the copier, office supply, media, insurance, phone, or bank sales representative. today.”

I am almost convinced that more and more prospects wake up with one of their first formative thoughts, “Who can I avoid speaking to today!”

I am a mid-baby boomer member - manners mattered and were enforced. Today, the lack of returned phone calls, and “lost” or never viewed letters appall me, and other sales professionals I kibitz.

This behavior reflects on our prospects’ businesses and my theory is that "peddlers" have many, many contacts and prospects may lose prospective customers because of boorish behavior recounted by the sales rep recipient.My walking into two businesses recently with a portfolio in hand seemed to guarantee that no one would greet me. "He's obviously not a customer, why bother." Yet, other businesses in the same product/service category warmly greeted me despite my obvious appearance as a sales rep.

This is an example of one way to measure the civility of a corporate culture. “But if I spent all day dealing with sales people, I would not get anything done,” implore my naysayers. Nonsense! Provide firm, reasoned responses and the true sales professional quickly and cordially responds appropriately. The boorish sales people, of course they exist, try to argue and cajole. Hang up or ask them to leave, and in the future you are well within your rights not to respond if their inquiry repeats.
Civility is one of the barometers of a culture’s vitality. I fear for ours.

The Bully Boss- How to Cope

The topic was the “boss as bully” - arbitrary, capricious, if not a borderline sociopath. My intelligent and competent lunch companion described her constant bobbing and weaving to avoid the emotional blows. The latest episode of many included the “blame game” as her boss, who had approved a report’s contents, accused her of releasing it unauthorized. Determining who felt the heat from the next higher rung on the executive ladder is not a stretch. The surprise short-term memory loss of the boss stretches the imagination.

Before the outcome of the game discloses, a description of a player is in order. Robert Hare, a Psychology professor emeritus from the University of British Columbia created a checklist for the “bully boss.”

He describes them as “selfish, callous, with a remorseless use of others." Eight traits comprise the type: “glibness and superficial charm; grandiose sense of self-worth; pathological lying; conning and manipulative; lack of remorse or guilt; shallow affect (i.e., a coldness covered up by dramatic emotional displays that are actually playacting); callousness and lack of empathy; and the failure to accept responsibility for one's own actions.” Strong stuff – particularly when one is on the receiving end.

Conventional wisdom when encountering the “bully boss” suggests several coping mechanisms. I direct you to www.badbossology.com for a compendium of resources. But what happened with my friend snarled in the blame game?

She said…. Enough! - offered appropriate notice which was refused and left the same day after a tearful goodbye from her staff. Who won? My friend restored family relationships bruised by the transference of battle scars from work, renewed her emotional strength, and excitedly searches for her next opportunity. Life is too short, right?

Tell Yourself about You!

“Tell me a little bit about yourself.” Since you probably are in the workplace, certainly the majority heard this statement or derivative during a job interview.

Have you ever pondered that statement and asked it of yourself? Seriously. You may come to an important self-discovery. It happened to me.

My life long career in an industry had ended - not of my volition. I decided to deploy myself into a new, unfamiliar business venture.

Rather than wallow in discouragement and wonder why my prior experience delivered a disappointing outcome, I decided to appreciate the sum of my experiences and garnered valuable lessons for work and life.

· My current situation requires me to be resourceful and resilient; the same traits I honed with my prior profession.

· It is important to be likeable. A former co-worker, merely passably talented in his craft, forged tremendous business relationships due to his friendly and down to earth nature.

· Innovation is necessary, change a given. Delivering and nurturing innovative changes requires time, repetition, and copious information with assurances.

· Do your homework! It is easy to minimize preparation and planning while maximizing enthusiasm and optimism. Passion is contagious - however, passion without a foundation discourages the “contagion” from spreading.

My suggestion; tell yourself “a little bit about yourself.” You may discover or renew what you know is important for living an encouraged life.