Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine. | D.L. Moody
To hype something is to intensify advertising, promotion, or publicity by ingenious or questionable claims or methods. We see that a lot today. People and organizations become self-promoting and come across as being desperate and unbelievable. If they are really that great, wouldn’t their light shine so the horn-blowing wouldn’t be necessary?
Authenticity demands that we present to others an accurate picture of the way things really are. In a world where hype can’t be escaped, authenticity is like a breath of fresh air. So, how do we pursue our whys and live with authenticity?
- Know your why. Individuals and organizations will become incessant horn-blowers when they don’t understand how they are wired, what’s really important, and the opportunities they have to make a difference.
- Focus more on being than on saying. People and organizations that are making a difference don’t have to keep telling people about the difference they are making; it will show. Effectiveness is the best (and quietest) form of promotion.
- Do what you do with excellence. It is easy to get busy and let quality diminish. We believe offering more products or activities will attract more customers. People can go anywhere for mediocre experiences. That’s not what they want. They want excellence to be a natural byproduct of your personal or organizational life. When that happens, hype won’t be necessary.
The quote from D.L. Moody is applicable today. When you really become what you want others to believe you are, you won’t have to work so hard to convince them. Think about it!
In what ways do you see excessive hype? What is your response to it?
