#IntentionalPositivity: Unsung Heroes
Oct 30, 2018 02:05PM ● By Laurie James
Are you the unsung hero in your place of work? Do you quietly get compensated (or passed over) for doing someone else’s job better than they could have while taking no credit for it? You’re not alone.
If you’re a musical buff, you will likely know the name Marni Nixon. She is essentially uncredited with the vocals for some important movie roles, namely: Audrey Hepburn (My Fair Lady), Marilyn Monroe (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Deborah Kerr (The King & I and An Affair to Remember), Natalie Wood (West Side Story and Gypsy) and Rita Moreno (West Side Story), to name a few.
Marni made a fabulous living as a “ghost singer” literally solidifying the success of some major blockbuster films of yesteryear. While she spent most of her career in the dubbing studio, she appeared onscreen as Sister Sophia in “The Sound of Music,” where she performed her own vocals and no one else’s.
You can make just as important a contribution in your career as an UNSUNG hero while building others up to success. Marni Nixon passed away in 2016, and her vocal résumé is still one of the best in the business.
N: Never pass up an opportunity to help your team to success. While our feelings can often get hurt at work, we are obligated to move forward to bring a team effort to success. There is no “I” in team, so continue to shine as part of the bigger project without regard for how it may reflect on you.
S: Show up for work, every day. Specifically, give your best effort every day. With the right “can do” attitude, you can accomplish ANYTHING. Sometimes we are scared to try new things because of a fear of failure. In most cases, however, it’s only a fear of the unknown that stops us. Try new things joyfully. You are likely more talented than you think.
U: Understand that every person you come in contact with gives you an opportunity to shine. Consider what could happen if you put forth your best effort with everyone you encounter each day – via email, texting, social media, phone, or in person. That’s a lot of people that are giving you an opportunity to shine. (Try being courteous in traffic!)
N: Negligence will always come back to haunt you, so be careful to bring your “A” game in every situation. We are all human, so this one is tough. Try focusing your attention on one positive thing each day and seeing how often you can share your positivity. If you concentrate on genuinely smiling at each person you are in contact with during the day, your cheeks will likely hurt from the effort. Do it anyway!
G: Guard against your own ego on the job. We all have the natural tendency to compete with others at work and in life. It’s human nature. However, when we work in harmony with one another, we all offer something unique to any job. You may not get compensated in dollars, but you WILL get noticed by someone who’s watching … and someone is ALWAYS watching!
Bring joy to your job and to yourself by “singing” like no one’s listening. When you “sing” from the heart, it’s certain that you will be rewarded in some way for your efforts. If you suppress your voice and talents on the job, however, someone else will be hired to “dub” over your voice. Entire careers have been made like this. Don’t let that happen!
