Probably 20 years ago, I was at our town’s art museum watching a friend play music in one of the galleries. About half way through the set, my friend’s four-year-old son emerged from the crowd and walked up to him on the improvised stage.
What happened next has stuck with me all the years since.
My friend - interrupted while doing his job, in front of an audience - stopped what he was doing and gave his full, genuine attention to his young son.
No anger. No frustration. No hurriedly rushing the little boy back to his seat. Just pure love on display.
My friend knew what was important. And still does.
Contrast that warm memory with what we saw from Professor Robert Kelly and his wife after their children innocently walked in on their father’s live BBC interview in March of 2017. (Watch the video here.)
The embarrassment. The apologies. His attempts to blindly push away his daughter. The mother’s frantic floor crawling.
Sure, an episode like that might throw anyone off his game a bit, especially if being interviewed on live TV. But because of the way both parents reacted, they kinda’ came off as jerks. And, purely from a marketing standpoint, how may that have affected Kelly’s personal brand and likability?
Goofy, unpredictable stuff like that happens now and then. About the only way you can prepare for it is by reminding yourself to be a human being, to roll with it, and to always look for the humor in unexpected situations. You should have heard the heartfelt “awwww” coming from the crowd when my friend reacted the way he did to his little boy.
For both you personally and your company, letting your human side show and embracing life’s wackier moments is likely only to endear you to your audience.
RELATED POSTS: What Can You Learn from a Coal Miner's Daughter?
Are You Too Chicken to Stay True to Your Values?
Lighten Up! Customers Will Like You For It (BusinessVoice)
