ANYONE CAN BE AN UNCROWNED PERFORMER

In his new book, “A class with Drucker–The Lost Lessons of the World’s Greatest Management Teacher,” William A. Cohen, PhD, one of Peter Drucker’s past students and a U.S. Air Force Reserve major general, said the great master taught in part that self-confidence must be built step-by-step.

It’s a wonderful and useful lesson particularly for younger officers still serving on active duty or in a drilling reserve capacity or for those developing an interest in or participating with the military professional associations like MOAA, CAL-MOAA, and a local chapter.

According to the author, one easy way to develop self-conficence is to become a so-called “uncrowned performer.” This is someone who does not hold a permanent appointment for the responsibilities he has taken on, but may take them on at any time and in an ad hoc manner.

MOAA organizations offer the kind of environment where an individual can find all kinds of opportunities to become an ukncrowned performer. There is so much to do, necessary and worthwhile work, and often not enough interested and/or skilled members to do it. Others are crying out for help. Anyone can recruit new members, write articles for the newsletter, provide information to committee members, meet and greet members arriving for an activitiy or event, help the treasurer prepare and send out invoices, locate luncheon or dinner speakers, and so on.

It means one must accept certain responsibilities outside normal duties for which there often is no compensation; however, the opportunities to learn something new, gain experience, build self-confidence are everywhere and will certainly make up for any lack of direct benefit.

To become a successful uncrowned performer one must accept responsibility cheerfully within a MOAA chapter, the California Council, or MOAA National, and certainly in any club, other association, at home, frankly every chance the opportunity comes along. Members are encouraged to look for opportunities to accept new responsibilities at any time and at any place.

Perhaps something needs to be organized. There might be a need for computer assistance. Or even setting up some kind of social event with special entertainment. These kinds of things offer chances to be an uncrowned performer. The more one does this, the easier it gets, and the more others will know who gets things done, building the kind of self-confidence needed to take on new and challenging tasks in the future.

Look around the chapter. See what needs to be done. And then go do it. Do something alone or in support of someone in a formal position. Look especially for unpopular jobs no one wants to do. For example, volunteer to handle all arrangements for CAL-MOAA upcoming EXCOM and the Annual Meetings.

Volunteer. That’s the key. There is so much to be done that chances are there’s no competition for the opportunity. Self-confidence will soar as tasks are completed and success comes. All one really needs to do is raise a hand and volunteer.

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