Susan Boyles, the overnight sensation thanks to Britain’s Got Talent is a story being told and heard around the world. Within a week, her YouTube clip was viewed over 100 million times. She made front page news at The Washington Post. She’s been invited to appear on Ophrah. And even her idol, Elaine Paige, has invited her to record a duet. Without a doubt, this story was news and is news.
However, is there another story that isn’t being told? Why hadn’t she been discovered before? Why is she unemployed? The answer to some of these questions might be revealed in the first 60 seconds of the clip which can be seen here. Look closely at the facial expressions of the judges and the audience as Boyles presented her dream, she talked about her idol Elaine Paige, and as she revealed her frumpiness. Facial cues would suggest that every judge and most of the audience had written her off before she even got started. Yes, this would be one contestant that would be easy to send home.
However, when Boyles sung her first notes, everything changed. Wonderment. Awe. Bewilderment. Inspiration! And the rest is history. Here were some of the judges comments following her presentation;
Piers Morgan: Without a doubt, that was the biggest surprise I’ve had in three years on this show. When you stood there with that cheeky grin and said, “I want to be like Elaine Paige,” everyone was laughing at you. No one is laughing now… Amazingly, I’m really in shock.
Amanda Holden: I know that everybody was against you. I honestly think we were all being very cynical and that was the biggest wake up call ever…
Now let’s cue the first 60 seconds a second time. Visualize Susan Boyles as if she were a professional singer. She was poised. She exuded confidence. She was polished and prepared. Would the judges and audience have dismissed her before she sung her first note? I don’t think so. The judges would have anticipated her first note, rather than dreading it. Everything would have changed. But then again, the story wouldn’t have been so newsworthy. Because the news wants a story with a surprise, and for that, Susan Boyles delivered on cue.
Personally, I’ve met and at times worked with the Susan Boyles of this world. Their demeanor masks their brilliance. They’re easy to dismiss. They’re awkward to be around. They’re a challenge to have on your team. And yes, Susan Boyles are scattered across our organizations and around the globe.
Too often, talent exists that isn’t being identified and leveraged. It’s going wasted and underutilized. The goal and responsibility of every leader is to identify talent and then provide them the stage to express it. And once you’ve truly “heard it,” figure out how to leverage it for the betterment of the organization and the world. This is the leadership lesson of Susan Boyles.
Tags: Leadership, Susan Boyles, Talent
