Check Your Baggage!

I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman at one of the venues I performed at this summer.  He had been on my website and realized we were both graduates of the same college.  We had a great conversation before and after the gig about our alma mater, professors we both had and the beauty of the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky.

He then thanked me for my professionalism and shared an situation he experienced recently with a performer who unloaded their woes and personal problems on anyone who would listen when they arrived.  He spoke frankly and said he would never invite that performer back again.

The take away from that conversation?  

CHECK YOUR BAGGAGE AT THE DOOR!

Even if you consider the person who hires you for a performance a friend, it is really inappropriate and unprofessional to do a data dump of problems and issues when at a performance or even when on the phone confirming a gig.

When I was a sales manager in the pharmaceutical industry I traveled often doing sales training around the nation.  As we did training for dozens and sometimes hundreds of pharmaceutical sales reps we always included the same advice.  

You would be amazed at the number of times a doctor or nurse would call a sales manager and complain about reps who share too much of their private lives and personal issues.

Our advice to them and mine to you was simple:

Show up with a positive, upbeat attitude.  Smile, be polite and engaging.  If asked, do share about your family, hobbies, interests.  Don't unload the baggage!

Remember you are not only a guest... they HIRED you to perform.  Respect that relationship.