In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I'm one of those hypocritical people who scoff at reality TV and then end up watching weekend marathons of Top Chef or Project Runway. (Maybe it's more accurate to say that I despise reality TV unless it involves sequins, cute carpenters, and/or kitchen-prepared non-creepy-crawly food.)
As I watch the first results show for this season's Dancing with the Stars, I'm seeing some records management lessons:
- Sell it. Your records program may not have all the answers, yet, and your big project may not be done, but by golly, it's fabulous, and so are you. The DWTS couples who succeed bring every ounce of confidence and presentation to their performance. If you believe in what you're doing, others will, too.
- Be a partner with somebody who's really, really good. DWTS isn't a solo competition, and neither is records management. Well-chosen, experienced partners from inside and outside your division / department / company / world can bring new energy and ideas, and they can make you look good.
- Sometimes you have to wear purple sequins. You can tell that some of the DWTS stars aren't accustomed to the kind of fake tan, fringe-and-sequins style it takes to pull off a samba, but they're giving it their best shot. Sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zones and learn about cloud computing or talk to the people they keep locked away in the server room. It's good for us. It's worth the risk. We might actually look good in purple sequins.
- Having your friends and fans call in can make all the difference. You can be good, but if nobody knows about it, you can only go so far. When people know about you and your program, they're more likely to recommend you to others, call you for help, and speak up for you. Asking your fans to support you is a good strategy in both the ballroom and boardroom.
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