Last week I saw my favorite artist at the Palladium in Hollywood. I was reminded of 3 important lessons as we navigate this era.
At 15 years old a teenager from Seattle, Ben Haggerty, started rapping inspired by the likes of WuTang Clan, Mobb Deep and Notorious B.I.G. He had big dreams of becoming a star. Unknown to him though, substance abuse was already taking a grip on his life. By 18 years old he was in a rehab center for alcohol and opioid addiction. Continuing to chase his dreams, while battling addiction, he landed back home in his parent’s basement at 25 years old. The guilt, shame and hopelessness at times consumed him.
But, because he loved hip hop, telling stories, and making music he persisted. After putting in his 10,000 hours he broke out and impacted millions of lives. There are comments on his YouTube videos of people who were one decision away from relapsing, his music has destigmatized addiction, and a documentary on the opioid crisis with President Obama helped move the needle on some of that reform.
While Macklemore was recording his second studio album there was someone else down the West Coast in Los Angeles battling the withdrawal symptoms of a different pharmaceutical medication. Me. I’d go from laughing to crying to chronic anxiety to debilitating depression within the span of a couple of hours while withdrawing from an anti-depressant. I felt so broken, hopeless and didn’t want to get out of bed. Or my anxiety and pain were so high that they created a fear inside of me that caused me to be paralyzed.
But, I found refuge in Macklemore’s music which I felt was speaking directly to my soul. I can’t tell you how many times I loaded his playlist on Spotify and went out for a run instead of numbing myself out with alcohol. His music would bring me to tears and fill me with so much hope at the same time because of the vulnerability in his stories. His art made me feel as if I wasn’t alone and I was understood. He was now doing things in a big way with a big platform impacting so many people. Exactly the vision of my future.
Fast forward years later and last week a woman came up to me after my keynote.
She went on to say, “That was so inspiring. I have a son who is in college and on the suicide watch list at school. I wish he would have been here to hear you speak. Could you make a video for him?”
As I was in tears recording a video for him, I was reminded me that we all have a story to share. And the story that you’re most resistant to share is probably the one you need to tell the most. Because your story may be the key to unlocking someone else’s prison. I’m hesitant to call myself and artist, but storytelling is my art.
Your art, vulnerability and pursuit of a passion can have a compounding effect on millions of souls you don’t even know. Macklemore didn’t know that his vulnerability would impact someone who doesn’t even listen to his music.
Now how does this relate to the era we live in? Art, vulnerability, and love are practical ways to cut through the noise and move your business forward.
Authentic Creation: Your unique art, product, or service, created in a way that resonates with your true self, becomes your competitive advantage. No one can replicate you, and that authenticity is your edge.
Vulnerability and Connection: Sharing your vulnerabilities can forge a powerful sense of connection and belonging with the people you lead. It humanizes you, brings down walls, and fosters deeper relationships.
The Transformative Power of Love: In the world of business, love can transform a transactional interaction into a truly transformational experience. It’s a reminder that genuine care and empathy can change the game.
In the end, our lives are interconnected, our stories hold immense power, and our pursuit of passion can illuminate the darkest paths. Don’t be hesitant to share your story, to create your art, and to infuse love into your work – for in doing so, you may just change someone’s life, even if you never know it.
