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What I Learned from Charles Veal Jr. & Louis Farrakhan
Copyright © 2002 - 2010 by Susan Harrow. All rights reserved.
1. Draw out the best in people.
Charles Veal Jr., one of the premier violinists in the world, told Louis
Farrakhan, the Leader of the Nation of Islam, what he did right or wanted
more of. He described, but not criticized what he didn't want so Louis
understood. He said things like, "That last bit was technically perfect,
now let's go for lyrical." You'll be a sought after radio or TV guest
when you can bring out the best in the interviewer and the audience. You'll
be a sought after person when you can do it as part of who you are.
As soon as he had a break in the sound studio Charles came over to us
(my sweetie and I) and flung his arms around me as if we had known each
other forever. It felt like we had. His openness made me feel more open.
I want to learn from his example not to close down and to welcome everyone
as if they were a dear friend.
2. Concern yourself with humanity.
Louis was worried about the space shuttle astronauts as much as the future
of rap stars. Secluded in the sound studio he hadn't heard the latest
news and wanted to know about the astronauts. Were they safe?
He told me he had many of the rap stars over for dinner to talk to them
about not creating music that denigrates women. There is great pressure
from the music executives to stay with what works. They don't want to
change a formula that sells. When you concern yourself with the welfare
of others and stop worrying about what people think of you, you develop
that all-important presence, that I talk about often. It's the most important
thing about you.
3. Follow Your Calling.
Louis had played violin since childhood and also played in a Calypso
band in his youth. His relatives were from the Caribbean. After he met
Elija Mohammed it changed the direction of his life and he went on to
lead the Million Man March and more. Now at 73 he decided he desired to
leave a legacy with his music. His CD will cover everything from The Irish
hymn, Danny Boy, to rap. He plans to have Denise Williams, Leontyne Price,
Johnny Mathis and others on it. He wants to have artists of every religion
as well. Buddhists to Jews. It's his homage to help create peace. What's
the legacy you want to leave? This is the first thing to think about before
you send out a press release of make a phone call to the media.
4. Establish Common Ground.
Louis lives in Chicago. I grew up in Highland Park Illinois where the
famed Ravinia Park, haven for musicians, is located. As a kid I went to
see everyone from Janis Joplin to Ella Fitzgerald. I asked Louis about
playing Ravinia. I'm sure we would have plenty to disagree about in term
of politics and religion, but I chose not to go there. Instead I told
him of my love of the music I heard, like Duke Ellington, and The Preservation
Hall Jazz Band. We discussed music and the blues. Find common ground first
with reporters, producers and hosts. You can always discover places you
disagree later. Establishing rapport is way more important than being
slick and perfect. People want to be around those that they can relate
to first. Talent is secondary.
5. Let Your Inner Beauty Shine.
Louis is gorgeous. He has the smoothest skin, an unfurrowed brow, and
speaks melifluously. Though he's 73 he looks about 50. It appears that
he didn't have a care in the world. But he does. The CIA and FBI supposedly
want him dead and he has six bodyguards outfitted in jogwear and bling
to prevent such an occurrence.
I asked him his beauty secrets. "Give me your outer ones, not the
inner. Tell me all!" But he revealed only the inner ones like, go
to sleep with a clear conscience. Forgive everyone. Act according to your
faith and truth. OK, but what about the creams?
Guess what? We can all spot a fake. Being real and loving other people
is the way that you'll be most beautiful. And I know it's not easy--the
loving people part. We're all so annoying. But, if you can look past the
annoyance, at the core most people are made of goodness. Trying to control
other people is fruitless, if you haven't noticed. Remembering this will
help you in the most stressful of times when those around you at a TV
or radio studio are being obnoxious, rude or inconsiderate. You can act
according to how you want to be.
Francis Bacon said, "As for the passions and studies of the mind:
avoid envy; anxious fears; anger fretting inwards; joys and exhilarations
in excess; sadness not communicated. Entertain hopes; mirth rather than
joy; variety of delights, rather than surfeit of them; wonder and admiration,
and therefore novelties; studies that fill the mind with splendid and
illustrious objects, as histories, fables, and contemplations of nature."
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Susan Harrow, CEO of
http://prsecrets.com, is
a top media coach, marketing strategist and author of
Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul™ (HarperCollins),
The
Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah, and
Get a 6-
Figure Book Advance. Clients include Fortune 500 CEOs, bestselling authors and entrepreneurs who have appeared on
Oprah, 60 Minutes, NPR, and in TIME, USA Today, Parade,
People, O, NY Times, WSJ, and Inc. |
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