Today is January 31 and the Navigate the Chaos question to consider is "Are you a lead singer or a backup?"
In the world of music there are lead singers and then there are backup singers.
Those who navigate the chaos understand that both are equally important.
Someone needs to obviously be the front person.
Yet standing 20 feet behind the front person are the back-up singers.
In a 2013 American documentary film entitled 20 Feet from Stardom directed by documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville and produced by Gil Friesen, a music industry executive whose curiosity to know more about the lives of background singers inspired the making of the film.
The film follows the behind-the-scenes of backup singers and stars Darlene Love, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Táta Vega, and Jo Lawry, among many others.
On March 2, 2014, it won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 86th Academy Awards.
Some back-up singers want to and eventually become a front person. Other back-up singers have a goal to be the front person but simply never make it.
As Lisa Fischer, one of the back-up singers profiled in the film, said of backup singing: “I reject the notion that the job you excel at is somehow not enough to aspire to, that there has to be something more. I love supporting other artists.” She added: “Some people will do anything to be famous. I just wanted to sing.”
This contrast between lead and backup singers resembles office work.
There are senior executives and managers (lead singers) and there are behind the scenes workers.
Some behind the scenes workers strive to be a manager or senior executive while others are happy just working behind the scenes.
Organizations large and small require both lead singers and backup vocalists.
It is important to recognize that there is no right path. Whatever path you choose is right for you.
As you go about your day, consider asking yourself if you would prefer to be the lead singer or the backup.