GOSSIP VS. PRECISION
It pisses me off that there’s so little precision in our daily interactions with each other in the music biz. Hasty, half-ass communication seems to be the accepted norm, while deficient, administrative procedures are the conventional protocol. Exchanging rumors has become the prevailing preference of daily conversation, while the virus of gossip spreads uncontrollably throughout the industry.
The result of this conversational apathy, is that ordinary discussions are misunderstood, urgent documents are poorly written and hastily proofed, important meetings are carelessly organized, deals don’t go down, and the money never makes it to the bank! Meanwhile, attorneys get rich, sorting out the sea of miscommunications and misunderstandings that abound in this industry. Ultimately, it all leads to stress, frustration, anxiety, and, needless to say, a total waste of time and money. Not to mention the fact that your career gets entangled in the “drama” and “hoopla” of it all! All because of gossip, rumor and righteous opinions!
The fact is, if there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s that everyone has an opinion on everything. Whether it’s spreading rumors in the studio or sitting around gossiping with our friends, each of us has an opinion and, for the most part, we can’t wait to give ours. It seems we’re more committed to being “right” and selling our opinions, than to achieving any mutually beneficial result.
Since our precious “opinions” are at stake, we’re often too quick to anticipate the response of others, and thoughtlessly too impatient to “listen.” In fact, we don’t listen, we simply “react.” One of the most commonly used responses in the English language is, “YES, BUT…” eagerly followed by our opinion. And not only is it difficult to hold back our opinions, we also have an insatiable desire to spread and listen to rumors and gossip, especially in this industry, because there are so many dramatic events, activities and people to gossip about.
Call it opinion, gossip, rumor, hearsay or scuttlebutt, I say we interact with each other, out of this destructive twaddle, and we try to produce results out of it. I also say this industry is running rampant with it, and we’re both the instigators, and the victims of it!
My suggestion: Don’t allow the virus of gossip to affect the momentum of your career. To the degree you demand PRECISE information, to that degree you’ll receive PRECISE results.
I’ve got a few more suggestions here that I’ve been thinking about. Let me know your “opinion.”
1) Never take any advice, unless it’s coming from the “horse’s mouth.” When someone gives you information, first qualify the person giving it to you, by asking yourself (or them), if they’re an expert on the topic, or do they have direct, firsthand knowledge or experience. The rule of thumb is: “don’t ACT, until it’s FACT!”
2) Never give any advice, unless you’re a “horse” in the matter. Slow down the rumor-mill, and let the ceasing of useless hearsay begin with you. Don’t spew out anymore gossip, stop spreading poison rumors, and if you find yourself in a situation that invites your precious opinion, hold back, listen, and simply observe.
3) Complaining provokes reaction, however requesting invites resolve. Instead
of complaining, try making simple “requests.” A request guarantees an acceptance, a counter-offer, or a denial. A complaint prolongs the debate, and inevitably invites a combative reaction. Be the one committed to resolving the dispute, not the one trying to win it.
4) Become aware of your listening. Do you listen attentively? Or do you mentally prepare what you’re going to say next? When you listen PRECISELY, you can’t miss hearing the truth behind the words, or the hidden agenda behind the drama. I believe that you don’t conquer communication by speaking, you master it by listening.
5) The only thing that ultimately resolves any misunderstanding or miscommu-nication is the truth. You can debate with people all day long, but when you finally run out of verbal ammunition, it’s only the truth and the facts that make any difference. Begin to observe, that the powerful pull towards “drama” is much stronger than the simple sway towards the truth. More often than not, drama will get the momentary attention, however, the truth will always get the ultimate result.
Get Mad As Hell And Don’t Take It Anymore!
When it comes to your career, don’t allow administrative inefficiencies to stall or pause your Show Biz projects or career goals. Start to demand integrity everywhere you go, and with everything you do. If you don’t experience complete efficiency, walk away and take your business elsewhere. There are too many businesses and services beginning to see the dollar value of quality customer service.
Get in the habit of practicing precision in every area of your career, and get in the habit of demanding it everywhere you go, because the results you’ll receive in return, will be extraordinarily precise!
Peace,
Michael
Tags: gossip precision
June 15th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I totally agree - it’s also not just in verbal communication - bands send out emails thru iFanz all the time with wrong ticketing links, typos, no show times, no ticket prices, and the one that really puzzles me - the name of a gig but no town, address, phone number nothing. The world of music marketing is global and if I live in Munich and get an iFanz member’s email - how am I supposed to know where Kulak’s Wood Shed is? Think globally people! Pay attention to the small details. You can’t expect your Fanz to do the research for you:) What is it my step-brother used to say - watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. Hmmm. No kidding. Congrats on the new site - it’s fab.
June 15th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I couldn’t agree more. Words of wisdom indeed. If everyone (myself included) remembered to apply this information in the heat of each moment, this would be a better world indeed.
June 15th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
amen!
June 17th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
It’s vitally important to try to take this approach ourselves. It’s just as important to surround ourselves with people committed to the same standards. In deciding whom to work with–managers, agents, publicists–we need to look for people focused on the job, and on delivering real and useful information rather than gossip or name-dropping.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I’ve followed this advice for years thanks to my membsership in the MIN. And enjoyed the succees it has brought me.
I might add it’s also good to make sure you are dealing with the decision maker if trying to ‘close’ a deal. As a matter of fact I’m right now preparing to conduct an entire evening of Blues Workshops at the Budweiser Illinois Blues Festival with some well-known name players. I attribute this opportunity to listening to a ‘horse’ (concert promoter) that expressed a need he wanted fulfilled. Thanks Michael.
September 28th, 2008 at 6:44 am
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November 23rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
The ultimate truth is like many other web.
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