Do you have a Simon Cowell?

Okay, I am not a huge TV watcher. In fact, you would be amazed how few channels I get at my house. However, I find American Idol fascinating. Here's why.


1. I admire the contestants, the talented ones, who are willing to put it on the line. If you dream big, you have to be able to risk failing big. I recently saw an interview with Carrie Underwood, she never expected to win Idol, in fact, the plane ride to Hollywood, was her first plane ride. What was her biggest fear, embarrsing herself in front of her family and friends. Is fear holding you back from a dream?


2. Just the overall effect that Idol has had on our society. Remember that the producers and creators of Idol could not get a network to pick the show up. It wasn't until the daughter of a Fox Executive saw Idol overseas, that the show was picked up. Have you given up on a dream because people said no? Maybe you should keep asking.



But here is the focus of this post. Simon Cowell makes the show for me. I like Simon because you either love him or hate him...there is no middle ground. (I have heard that about some people on the radio) Frankly, I love talking to the people who do not like Simon. They talk about how mean he is to the contestants, how uncaring, how cocky, how pretentious.



To me, Paula usually sounds like she has misread the prescription directions, Randy is more interested in his street cred than anything else. But regardless of what you think of him, Simon provides real information and help. When people listen to him, they improve. So do you have a Simon Cowell in your life? We all need one.


It is difficult to always speak the truth. When our sales team "practice pitch" the easy way out is to talk about how good they did. That does not help them. We have to give correct, honest and direct feedback on what they need to do to improve.


Frankly, Branson needs a Simon. Everybody, including me, will discuss in a smaller group some of the difficulties facing Branson. Very few, including me, will voice those concerns in an open group discussion. Tomorrow's Branson needs a Simon today.



What about you and your business? Would it benefit from someone who could tell you how you could improve and not really worry about your feelings? The next time you hear criticism, constructive or not, take a step back and see if they have a point.


Find a Simon -- then act on their suggestions. Who knows, you might be The Next American Idol. Stay Tuned.


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