Helloo0O all you wonderful people!
Welcome back Graceland Ontario for your weekly fix of success tips as modeled by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself (and you can’t do much better than him… I mean, check out those cheek bones! But I digress…) This week we’re going to be talking about remembering people on the pathway of life (and success) and how to deal with them when it's 'just not working'.
So, as we tango through life, whether it be school, work, the barber’s shop, we meet people who become associates, business partners and plain, ol’ employees. Then, days, months, years down the line, we realize that the partnership is a bad idea and either it’s outlived its usefulness or was never meant to be to start with. It’s time to ‘fire’ that person from your business life. Now, there are three ways to deal with this: one, ignore it (this would suggest being indecisive, and if you don’t know my opinions on that check out what I write on it. In short − it’s not good); two, break off the relationship casually, stating things aren’t working well and it’d be better for both of you if you did your own things or, three, step on their toes, tell them the hell where to go and screw the relationship up permanently (Donald Trump, anyone...?).
Let’s tie this to our friend, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Elvis met many people through his career. Oftentimes he partnered up with them for long times (the Jordanaires, the TCB (Taking Care of Business) Band) or re-partnered up with them at later dates (Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, his original guitarist and drummer, played with Elvis during the ’68 Comeback Special). When the partnership had to end (because of a dispute or someone else was better for the role), it did − no hard feelings. Then, if there was a use for the partnership in the future, it could be re-exploited.
Hopefully you’re getting the point I’m trying to put across − sometimes, partnerships should never have occurred but we, as fallible mortals, don’t know when this is true or not. Even if there’s a clear problem in the present, your ex-partner might be able to help you (and you him) in the future. This makes financial (they can help you make money if you need them), health (you’re not worrying over some psycho ex-partner killing you) and social (you might have a friend even if you don’t have a partner) sense. Asides, who wants to have a long argument over a partnership that’s dead when you can have a short conversation putting both people out of their woe.
Now going back to Elvis, who generally had good relations with his fellow workers − after his death, many of these musicians have said or done something positive in correlation to Elvis. Done a song, a speech, a dedication… the 'Elvis Presley in Concert' shows where former musicians do modern arrangements to recording and movie footage of Elvis live. Now, I’m not saying money had nothing to do with this sponsorship but, from the genuineness in what they say, it seems most of the people who worked with Elvis looked upon him favourably. So favourably that, if he were still alive and required their services, they’d probably accept.
On the other hand, there are other bands with one person becoming ‘the star’ and ditching the rest of the guys. Oftentimes these ‘stars’ release one record, maybe score, maybe not, fall from grace, then go into quiet retirement, living off the royalties from the band they backstabbed. I’m not going to name any people in particular (though I’m sure you can fill in the blanks) but clearly these individuals, by hurting those they worked with, even if they didn’t intend to work with them again, messed themselves over in the long-run. They certainly can’t boast having a legion of individuals who would work with them if they needed (like Elvis), a group of friends they could talk with outside of business or even a safe life (gotta watch out for those psycho ex-partners).
Now, I’m not saying people who shouldn’t work with you must stay or that you should keep in good contact with them if they’re bad news. Simply that you’re nice and respectful to them, even when you can’t work with them anymore. Remember the old adage ‘action speaks louder than words’? Your simple lack of response to their ideas and proposals will give them the idea − you don’t have to shout in their face!
Elvis’s Lessons:
So, what’s the point? Here it is: Do what is best for your career, even if it means parting with somebody, but remember to be respectful during the break-up process. It makes the process less messy, it leaves the option of re-partnership possible and it gives you the opportunity to keep a person in your social life even if they have no part in your financial circle.
P.S. Remember to leave a comment below or email me at alexghilson@gmail.com to discuss this post personally with me.
P.P.S. If you're interested in seeing Elvis singing in the '68 Comeback Special (where he re-partnered up with original guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana), here he is with "Heartbreak Hotel".
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