Under the Big Top

“Circus lights…under the Big-Top world. Wondering where I am…on the wire…” ~ “Faithfully”, Journey.

When I last attended a convention in Las Vegas, I was determined to watch some of the popular musicals and acts. Therefore, I attended two productions under the brand of Cirque Du Soleil: Mystére and Zumanity. Mystére was a circus and mega-spectacle of light and sound. The latter was an adult-orientated, circus-musical with sexual and sensual themes.

One thing for sure, Zumanity will never make its way to Singapore because of several factors: quasi-nudity, alternative lifestyle, and coarse language. Actually the coarse language was delivered brilliantly, in sleight of mouth, by the androgynous emcee/host.

That would have meant that I have covered the A to Z of Cirque Du Soleil - Circus of the Sun - I have gone full circle: from Allegria to Zumanity. Add to that, Saltimbanco and Mystére and those are quite a few circus acts. The circus is an exciting place to be in. Under the Big Top, resides talent and courage of a physical nature. Uber-biker, Lance Armstrong with his seven consecutive Tour de France wins; the late-one-legged Canadian runner, Terry Fox; and the remarkable Hoyts are listed under physical courage.

The way each Cirque Du Soleil production runs is impressive. Each performer also doubles up as rigger and belayer. The “belayer” supports each acrobat by managing the ropes of the aerial performer. It is pure teamwork for each member of the huge family of performers.

This modern circus is run with clockwork precision. It is all about timing, alertness, pacing, consideration, and responsibility. From a team perspective, it is about complete participation and involvement. The acrobats, musicians, singers and clowns support the ringmaster to get the show going. Like all the acrobats who are successful, each manoeuvre requires delicate balance, strength and agility. Every skill is honed to perfection. Every move is deliberate and unhurried.

Famous magician, Dai Vernon (aka The Professor) used to advise his students: “Nothing disarms and deceives an audience more than a deliberate and unhurried presentation, executed with neatness and precision.”

P T Barnum was a renowned ringmaster of marketing as well as the circus. The Barnum and Bailey’s Circus survives today, a testament to the power of strategic communication and marketing. Without ticket sales, there will be no audience. With no audience, there is little in the way of a show. Show business is about putting up a show for the paying audience.

It is all about performance. And it applies to us all, not just circus acts. Perform well in whatever you do – it pays.

Leadership Lesson: How do you run your own show? How do you involve all your team-members? How do you pursue personal mastery in your area of expertise?