When “You’ve got it all wrong” is the best advice

12 year old Shaheen JaFargholi

Much has been written in business about the value of playing to your strengths.  On my bookshelf alone, I’ve got a half dozen business titles that preach the concept.  As an entrepreneur, there is much to be learned from this video from the BBC show “Britain’s Got Talent”, where 12-year old Shaheen Jafargholi performed before the notorious Simon Cowell and company for the first time.

Shaheen stepped bravely on stage to perform a number that “his grand-dad really loves” – “Valerie,”  a number originally recorded by Amy Winehouse, who is a poster child for a strung-out, self-absorbed culture.  Not exactly the type of song that would be in the “wheelhouse” of a boy from Wales who just turned 12.  Just a few lines into the song, Simon stops everything and tells the young man, “You’ve got this really wrong”.  Simon saw with his experienced eye that, whatever Shaheen’s strengths as a performer, his choice of song wasn’t going to show it.

When asked what else he sings, Shaheen offered up a rendition of “Whose Lovin’ You” by Michael Jackson that brought down the house.  Simon Cowell, the ultimate music critic, gave him a standing ovation and told him that “this is an example of how one song can change your life.”

This reminded me of so many new entrepreneurs who have amazing abilities and clear strengths, yet who inexplicably chase business concepts where the only guarantee is that nobody will every be able to discover what they are truly capable of.  Sometimes, your best advice is to hear “you’ve got it all wrong – what else have you got.”

When that happens to you, be sure that your answer to that question is what you do best, and what you do with great passion.  Just like Shaheen, one right answer to that question can change your life.

See video of Shaheen.

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