Gotta Show Up + Get Shit Done
Long, long back—in the OG days, we discovered Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point", which gave us so as a resource, to acknowledge about ourselves and offered strategic and tangible information that we could utilize. Every single day, we see that small actions with the right timing, work to accomplish seemingly giant accomplishments—the magic moments that enlighten and spread across people. Tipping points change and impact industries. Think of viral social reactions to various products that don’t really have a singular prompt, they just catch on. Are we at a tipping point in the art sector? New digital platforms are enabling artists to expand their businesses past the traditional methods we have known over the past century. Covid-19 catapulted this digital movement and drove many artists to seek new solutions in a time of necessity, making the processes of working online and showing work in new digital arenas a normal part of the process, just like the work-from-home movement grew.
"The success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts." -Gladwell
As an artist, or any business person, your network is everything. When you are out there in the wild, using your arsenal of contacts is how you get shit done. The people are the magical sauce and you know the recipe. Introducing people that can be strategic partners or collaborators also makes you a valuable contact. If you want success, you have to act. Make a plan and get out of your own way. We witness so many artists not even realizing when an opportunity is handed to them with a golden, sparkly wrapper, cue Marc Rebillet screaming at you. “You gotta show up and get shit done.”
When it comes to building networks and trust, there are generally five key types of people who play crucial roles in connecting others and facilitating growth. These concepts draw from Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point" and networking theories. Here are the five types with examples of strategies:
INFLUENCERS:
Connectors:
Role: Connectors are individuals who seem to know everyone. They have extensive networks across diverse fields and social circles.
Why They Matter: They are valuable because they can introduce people from different industries or communities, facilitating cross-pollination of ideas, projects, and opportunities.
Example: Someone who has contacts in both the art world and tech industry, helping an artist meet potential investors for a new digital art project.
Mavens:
Role: Mavens are knowledgeable individuals who are experts in a particular field or topic. They love to share their knowledge and provide valuable insights.
Why They Matter: Their expertise makes them trusted sources of information, and they often influence others’ decisions through their deep understanding of specific subjects.
Example: An art critic or curator who provides useful feedback on an artist's work and introduces them to trends in the art world.
Salespeople:
Role: Salespeople are persuasive communicators who can "sell" ideas, projects, or people. They are charismatic and can effectively influence others to take action.
Why They Matter: They help spread messages, and opportunities to broader audiences and convince others of the value of what they are promoting.
Example: A charismatic gallery owner who talks up an artist’s work to collectors or curators.
ENABLERS:
Gatekeepers:
Role: Gatekeepers control access to resources, opportunities, or exclusive networks. They decide who gets in and who stays out.
Why They Matter: Gatekeepers play a crucial role in career advancement since they can open doors to high-profile exhibitions, prestigious grants, or influential circles.
Example: A magazine editor who decides which businesses get featured or a grant committee member who selects artists for funding.
Coaches/Mentors:
Role: Mentors provide guidance, support, and encouragement. They share their experiences, offer constructive criticism, and help others develop professionally and personally.
Why They Matter: Coaches and mentors help individuals navigate their careers, avoid common pitfalls, and make better decisions. Experience is gold. Anyone who has been in the game for a while, knows the ropes and many people are willing to share information.
Example: An established artist who takes a younger artist under their wing, providing advice on building a successful career.
Across all of our networks, professional, personal and even within our own families, the roles of our people are identifiable. The go-getter, the organizer, the clean-freak, you know who they are. Now take Gladwell’s five personas and keep them in your mind, close by, right up in front of the hippocampus and tap it often. Successful people recognize the key skills of people in their network and have a keen sense of selfawareness, which helps them understand how to impact strategies and collaborations by aligning with the essential people for the jobs at hand. Understanding why each of these roles is important will help any professional. Identifying the personas in Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point—Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen—is crucial for advancing any mission because each plays a distinct role in creating momentum for change. Connectors help expand your network by linking you to people across different social groups, increasing your reach and visibility. Mavens are knowledge experts who influence others by sharing valuable information, thus building credibility for your mission. Salesmen possess the persuasive charisma necessary to inspire action and motivate people to engage with your cause. Recognizing these identifiable personas of connectors and enablers allows ideators to strategically leverage their strengths with your own to accelerate the growth and impact of your mission.
Our impact of showing up and getting shit done is transformative. Consistency and action are what separate the ideas from impactful results. When you show up, you signal commitment and reliability, building trust and credibility with those around you. Taking action, even when conditions aren’t perfect, creates momentum, and that momentum can inspire others to contribute, generating a compounding effect. It turns our collective potential into progress and the small wins into major achievements. We know it's not just talent or intention that moves the needle—it's the grit to show up and get shit done that truly drives our successes.
