Michael Jackson and Excellence

Earlier this month, our office was treated to MJ: The Musical. This was a great day for the over 250 people based in East Brunswick, and I want to thank our Partner in Charge, John Mortenson and office manager, Victoria Beirne, who made all the arrangements and handled seamless logistics getting us from our office to the theatre, restaurant and back to our office.

The show was fantastic, and I highly recommend it and plan on seeing it again. The story was about Michael Jackson’s music and life. I find it not possible that there is anyone unfamiliar with MJ or his moonwalk. The show, cast, music, dancing and dialogue were riveting. Do not miss seeing it.

One of the things that impressed me was Michael Jackson’s dedicated excellence in everything he did and his hard work at it. People that are great usually have an inner drive to be great; it doesn’t happen by accident.

Some time ago, I read the autobiography of legendary adman and Advertising Hall of Fame member Phil Dusenberry. Its original title was “Then We Set His Hair of Fire,” referring to the time when Michael Jackson’s hair accidentally caught on fire (which is also an episode in MJ: The Musical). However, that is not why I chose to read that book. Dusenberry was very well known for his creative insights for so many great ad campaigns. I read the book looking to get ideas either for myself or my practice or to share with clients or colleagues. I also have always been interested in how people get ideas, especially the top creative people.

Anyway, the book includes the story of Michael Jackson’s hair catching on fire, and while that incident went viral, it was not the defining event of Michael Jackson’s commercial making. Dusenberry writes about being surprised about MJ’s complete commitment to the Pepsi commercial he was hired to perform in. Dusenberry figured Jackson would show up, do what he was asked to do and pocket the paycheck– but he admits to his complete surprise about Jackson’s obsessive attention to everything, including the minutiae and his wanting to do a “perfect” job. This was built into Jackson’s DNA. A line in the show triggered this memory when Jackson responded to a question about why he worked so hard to get everything exactly the way he wanted it “I want the audience to want to come back.” That is a great attitude for everyone in business. Do your best…always.

I heard President Ronald Reagan respond when asked why he campaigned so hard when it looked like he would win in a landslide “I campaign assuming I will lose by one vote and want to change that person’s vote.” When Joe DiMaggio was asked why he always tried so hard, he said that “some kid might be watching me for the first time, so I owe him my best.” That is excellence. Michael Jackson had it, and so did almost everyone that was and is very successful. That is a quality you should try to emulate.

Comment: The book was later renamed “One Great Insight Is Worth a Thousand Good Ideas.” I highly recommend this book if you are interested in getting insights and ideas. In today’s business world, ideas are currency!

Have a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year!