But that may not be the smartest strategy in the long run, says a former street performer. Carr Hagerman, also known as the ''Rat Catcher'' in his performance days, now spends much of his time advising employers and employees at his Top Performer Academy on how the ability to ''step out and connect with an audience'' is an important tool in being not only happier at work today, but also more successful in the long run. (To join the discussion on career success, check out the blog at www.anitabruzzese.com).
''The thing about top street performers - the ones who are successful for long periods of time - is that they are strikingly original,'' Hagerman says. ''And they have only learned this through working in front of other people.''
In other words, it is not the tricks they have in their pockets or up their sleeves that make people want to watch them perform, it is their ability to make that personal connection that ensures they will be compensated at the end of the performance, he says.
''Street performers live by what happens at the hat [holding the money] at the end of the day,'' Hagerman says. ''Those who give really good performances also have an emotional profitability. It's beyond the paycheck.''
That's why Hagerman says that in these often scary economic times, workers should climb out of the foxhole and connect as much as possible with others in the workplace.
When times are tough, he emphasizes, we all need a human connection more than ever, a lesson he saw brought home after 9/11.
''We got more phone calls after that because people really needed to find ways to connect to other people, they wanted those face-to-face interactions,'' he says. ''It's the same way now. People are scared and what they really need is to be closer than ever.''Â
While acknowledging that not everyone has the gumption to be a street performer, Hagerman does stress that each person has a ''natural energy'' outside the bounds of a job performance.
''Our natural energy is the profitability that is uniquely our own,'' he says.
Hagerman cautions, however, that just like street performers, relying on a pocketful of tricks will only get you so far.
''You've got to make an investment of yourself,'' he says. ''It's what you genuinely give to the relationship that will determine your success. All the gags in the world won't help if you don't reach out to people.''
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* ANITA BRUZZESE can be reached c/o Business Editor, Gannett News Service, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Va. 22107.
