Supporting Role

I am really sick of influencer culture. No judgment to them as individuals for making a living, of course, but this latest version of popularity capitalism is one of my least favorite.

Influencer culture makes It seem like we’re all meant to be striving for the spotlight, making money off of attention, and being the most [enter superlative here: rich/beautiful/powerful/political/mean/sexy/coquettish/generous]. In this world, success looks like giving speeches, being mentioned on every platform, getting likes—basically, having a personal brand that is unique and strong.

Have you ever thought about who is behind the success of those people in the spotlight?

Tons and tons of other people!

We can’t all be at the forefront, and we shouldn’t all be. If we were all on stage, who would make the costumes and sets, and hang the lights? Without the pit crew, would the Formula One drivers be able to make it around the track with such speed? Think of the hundreds of people working at a Beyonce or Taylor Swift concert. Are they not experts in their field and incredible at their job without ever being on a stage?

I am a big fan of the Supporting Role—the people behind the people who make them great. I’m not talking about just the people behind the Beyonces of the world, but the ones in less obvious places too. I’m talking about someone like the person behind great brand standards like FedEx. (Can you imagine in a thousand years being the one to realize there could be an arrow in the white space in the E and the X?!) Or the numerous individuals supporting a small business owner who is hot on the conference circuit. Or the person who delivers the clay to the famous sculptor.

These supporting roles are worth aspiring for. These roles are vital in the progress of every individual, every industry, of the world itself.

I’m certainly biased. You’re currently reading the words of a woman who isn’t interested in an EGOT but instead wants to be listed or thanked in the credits of every type of published medium—I’ve got a few plays, albums, and books already, but being thanked in movie credits is my white whale. I thrive in this behind-the-scenes life, from stage management to career advising. And I think it’s important to not be ashamed to target these jobs! They are vital, hard, important, and require a specific combination of skills, expertise, and personalities individual to each of them.

I think, instead, it is worth trying to impress our smaller circle with our abilities. I think it is also important to impress ourselves. For us to pursue perfection and passion in the area that we are most interested in and shine that light wherever it can be seen. For us to listen to our inner voices telling us we’re loving and thriving in a role. For us to accept the praise and encouragement of those closest to the work. For us to hear those who understand why it is important to them and to their lives or work. Those who understand the pride and happiness you have in it for yourself. Those who see why your particular experience and interests are so additive, singular, and important to the work they’re doing, and make it so much better than they could themselves.

So, how can you start to surround yourself with the people and work that makes you shine, no matter how visible it is to anyone else?