No matter what your field of expertise, once you gain ground as a celebrity, it’s a great opportunity to use your status and recognition to better humanity. I don’t mean to suggest you should strive to be the next Mother Teresa – far from it. My point is that you have an opportunity – if you want it – to deliver a worthwhile message.
Consider the celebrities that you admire, or at least think well of. Whether you thought of U2’s Bono and his humanitarian work, or Sonny & Cher’s Sonny Bono, whose passion turned to the political arena, they are both terrific examples of celebrities who desired to use their fame to spread their message and make a difference to society.
When that message becomes part and parcel of the celebrity’s brand, it fortifies both the message and the celebrity who delivers it. The late Isaac Hayes worked to improve world literacy. Katie Couric is synonymous with the promotion of cancer screening. Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas, himself a foster child, was a strong supporter for raising awareness of the plight of foster children, and an advocate for child adoption. And, under the leadership of legendary CEO Jack Welch, General Electric reinvented itself several times over by integrating new and innovative practices into its many lines of business.
It is not my intention to preach that only an altruistic purpose justifies celebrity – not at all. What I would like you to take from this is the idea that your celebrity can be a bully pulpit for improving conditions around you. If you are a successful real estate broker (no mean feat today), and you have had exceptional success selling distressed homes, you could also be the point-man for Habitat for Humanity in your community! Wouldn’t you feel great knowing you helped other less fortunate families have a home?
Think about how you could use celebrity…what message could you share that would help someone else succeed? You’ve seen what celebrity can do for you…what can YOU do for celebrity?
Warm regards,
Marsha Friedman
Marsha, How true. Again it seems to be prepared for & have the eye for oppurtunity to share…physically, emotionally, intellectually or comically. I think Mother Teresa had a wicked deadpan “sense of the rediculous”. As you allude, they all dDID something. I would further submit that their core thought is to be contemplated. Not that original thought is not flexible and stays original. The point is that, we take care of the immediate however I believe the thoughtful always have an eye on the core problem and give some energy toward solving the fundemental cause or defect.
Thanks for your feedback Michael!
Thanks for the info.
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