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Believe in your Flyness.
Believe in your flyness. Conquer your shyness. Advice from a self-help guru? Think again. Words of wisdom from none other than Mr. Kanye West. A thought-provoking little slideshow from our friends at Fast Company definitely inspired some thinking. With lessons not only suited for individuals or artists, but brands as well.
Here’s an artist, perhaps not the most talented rapper in the world (as umpteen YouTube videos from various live performances would illustrate), yet he has risen to the top of his field. How? An absolute and complete confidence and belief in his art. That’s what separates the boys from men in this arena. That’s what separates good brands from great brands. It’s the most simple notion. Belief in yourself as something great, yet having the humility to listen to criticism (which he claims to do, despite his well noted diva fits) and GROW from it. Become better. There’s an unwavering drive and thirst to become the best. Period. How many GREAT big brands have this to thank for their success? Apple. As their most fabulous “I’m a PC/I’m a Mac” ads will illustrate, a brash and brazen slap in the face to millions of PC users. A general “I’m sorry, but I’m better than you” is a wonderfully quirky way of not being afraid of demonstrating flyness. Brilliant.
It’s appealing to have a brand be confident (that is already pretty great, despite quips–just like Kanye) and just come out and SAY what they want to. Too often we get bogged down in mixed messages in fears of ever saying anything too strongly and rubbing someone the wrong way. Lesson to learn: sometimes you just have to find your voice and allow it to well, sing. You might not be right the first time, or the second for that matter, but listen to what your criticism is and go back and be better. Question, question, quesiton…
“I question anyone who questions me. But I question myself all the time.”
Check out the whole slideshow here:
http://www.fastcompany.com/multimedia/slideshows/content/kanye.html#pause
(Source: Fast Company 2009)
–A bit more on Kanye: he’s building his own brand. And not only does he have his own record label and has a successful recording career, he’s started his own franchise of Fat Burger restaurants in Chicago, a shoe line with Nike and Louis Vuitton and of course, is about ready to launch his own clothing line. Mr. West is doing just fine–