On Making Others Heros
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget
how you made them feel." — Maya Angelou
Orange is proud to feature our guest contributor this week, Richard Mills. Rich is part of the family here at Orange, and has made a lasting impact in the entertainment business. Not only is he the Founder of Global Creative Partners, but he has also left a legacy through his 25 years of service as an Agent and Vice-President at one of the leading entertainment companies, The Feldman Agency. To learn about adaptability, connection, and communication from one of the best, read on!
The important truth that I have learned is it’s really not about you... it’s really about your family, your partners, your team, your customers, your community and over time, your legacy.
Making a difference in today’s rapidly evolving world is possible - if one chooses to pivot on the traditional perspectives that we grow up with.
As most of us developed our social strategies to get ahead in life from a young age, we generally thought that everyone else must think just like we do. But when we grew older, we soon encountered the perspectives and opinions of others which showed the growing complexity we would have to live in. In time, the by-products of this strategic challenge are often experienced as chronic stress, being overwhelmed, conflict with ourselves and with others, lack of focus, general resignation and analysis paralysis. But it does not need to flow this way.
A quick little pivot I learned as I adapted to moving through 5 elementary schools in 6 years gave me a little, quirky advantage to adapting to change - it is listening with great intention.
Having had to adapt as the new kid constantly in school, the key to my social survival as well as thriving quickly, was listening very intently to those around me. Avoiding danger and amplifying opportunity helped me to be able to fit in and make friends very fast - and this became a marketable skill once I started attending sales conferences and travelling far and wide to service clients.
As I now look back, that “life hack” has served me well as I have navigated over 30 years and a million flying miles, making my path in the accelerated uncertainty of the entertainment business. As this process continues for me, I have never been more excited about the future as well as the pace of exponential change and opportunities it will bring.
By first making friends - which later evolved to growing meaningful relationships to support my life and career - this strategy his evolved to create a wider global network over time. The truth for me in all of this, is people want to be in life and business with those they know and trust best. Being of value certainly helps this along.
I quickly realized the power of connection and as importantly, that not all of the talent is on the stage. I discovered my growing inventory of friends could know my other friends who had solutions they needed or had similar interests and challenges. By staying interested I could make meaningful connections. For me, I can now clearly see the underlying purpose in what I do is to be of service and create value. And this is my “Why”in life that also provides clarity and fine focus as I navigate what I create and value most.
I believe the quickest way to a potential friendship is a great conversation, one where you ask a lot of questions and just LISTEN with great focus AND intention. It is amazing what you can discover about the magic in people. In time I called this “listening for the gold” and my intention was to be of service. I have come to believe that service flows by seeking to understand first and THEN seeking to be understood.
As time went on, I further refined this approach into how I could make someone a hero in their own story - by helping them get closer to what mattered to them in life. This perspective is something I enjoy greatly as it often creates unforgettable moments and lifelong friendships and relationships.
I am most grateful for the role I play in creating value for my direct circle and being able to share what I discover on my journey with them. As I am always thinking about my closest relationships in the start of my day as a specific gratitude practice - at some point in time they may reflect back a thought or a connection, or not. I find life more fulfilling now that my rituals reflect this “we not me” perspective - and it definitely makes life more workable and creative. And I smile much more.
I have even applied this philosophy to my Instagram account so that I share a reflection of what I experience in life and travel. Along the way I discovered my passion for photography. I am now working on a book of the best of the moments I have caught along the journey so far.
I am regularly surprised by people that find me in a crowd, at events or in airports to mention to put up more sunrises/sunsets or a quote that they found inspirational or more pics of Jack my golden doodle. It's really not about likes as it about being aware of the unseen impact that you can make.
Sharing a great picture, experience or quote goes a long way when you filter this effort towards making a difference - be it a smile, a useful thought or some fuel to spark an idea. It also shortens the distance between friends. And isn’t that what is at the heart of real engagement?
Human connection thrives when you don’t make it just about you - and communication flows easier if you can pivot to experience and consider another’s viewpoint. And this has become a gift I am perpetually grateful for.
To hear more about making others a hero in their own story, listen to "The Reid Hoffman Story: Make Everyone a Hero" on The Masters of Scale podcast: