Most people know the importance of having mentors and role models in business, particularly for those at an early stage of their career. While I don’t dispute that such people are important, sometimes its even more important to have the exact opposite- a rival, an antagonist, or even a nemesis. Or, as I like to say, a Neil Young.
In the early 1970’s, Neil Young wasn’t a very popular man in the southern United States. Two of his most popular songs, Southern Man and Alabama, were very critical of race relations and politics in the South, and of Southerners in general. You can imagine that a hippy Canadian sticking his nose in the business of the proud South didn’t exactly go over too well, and the response was predictably harsh.
However, for southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd- a group of sons of the South- Young’s negative lyrics were just the push that was needed to move them from popular performers to rock legends. In response to Young’s songs,Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote what would soon become a classic rock anthem, the timeless Sweet Home Alabama. It would prove to be their biggest hit ever, and to this day is one of their defining tracks. Without someone to rally against, Lynyrd Skynyrd may have never been pushed to do some of their greatest work, and sports fans the world over would have been denied the sweet melodies of drunken Crimson Tide fans.
Mentors are important, but encouragement and hugs will only get you so far. At some point, you need someone who will force you out of your comfort zone and challenge you, someone who will kick your ass and force you to act. Without Dr. Octopus,Spiderman is just a creepy guy in spandex; without the Borg, Captain Picard is just an astronaut. Your figurative Neil Young probably won’t actually be Neil Young- it may be a coworker, a competitor, or even the boss who has never been convinced that you’ve got what it takes. Your rival doesn’t need to be a hated enemy, either; Neil Young andLynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant were actually on quite good terms, and Young has even performed Sweet Home Alabama for live audiences. But regardless of who it is, you need the motivation that can only come from being forced to perform at your best and prove the naysayers wrong.
This is tough for me because I’m a pretty non-competitive person in most respects. Even when it comes to sports, I’m usually the most laid back guy on the team, just looking to have fun and not make a fool of myself. Even so, some of my best moments have come about when I was forced into acting, or when I really felt like I had something to prove.
Who plays Neil Young to your Lynyrd Skynyrd? What motivates you to exceed expectations?
Photo by yle.fi/pop
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Hey there,
You’ve got a typo in the title…”They Key to Success”
I’m assuming you were going for…”The Key to Success”
Thanks, Erick! Clearly that wouldn’t have happened if I just had a rival who pushed me to proofread a little better.
Awesome post - I totally agree. I had a work situation in the past with a couple of bosses that was as close to open warfare as was possible without anyone getting fired or incarcerated. And you know what? I accomplished about 5 times as much as I would’ve had I worked under better and more decent people. I particularly enjoyed putting together massive, bullet-pointed, multi-attachment, weekly emails documenting my accomplishments and firing them off to my “superiors.”
Thanks for the trip down memory lane . . .
Thanks for this post MGL. You have no idea how many people are reading your posts on a daily basis whether for the humour, advice or inspiration. You have inspired me today. I sometimes feel like I am in a deadend job, and I’m usually not treated very well despite my efforts. But maybe I just need to step up and use this opportunity to prove myself. You just mentored me!!
MGL,
Just thought I’d let you know - You’ve inspired a post!
You don’t need Neil Young to hit your goals.
Well, you and my innate competitiveness.
Shoot!
I just realized there’s a trackback.. please forgive my spam.