Block Island, RI -
“You make it look easy, Joe.” Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, who was a bit of a jerk, hated when media and fans said this about his graceful, seemingly effortless style of play. He let them know it, too, resenting the fact that people do not understand how much hard work greatness requires.
Todd Purdum’s new book on Desi Arnaz’s many business and technical contributions to the early days of television makes a comparable point. Upon completion of the I Love Lucy pilot episode in 1951, some attendees told Arnaz that it all seemed so effortless. Desi retorted, “It all seemed effortless, which only goes to prove that it takes a lot of effort to make something look effortless.”
That’s just the point. Excellent performers in baseball, television, or most any human endeavor often do make things look “easy” or “effortless” without a great deal of drama, pained expression, or flailing movement. It’s often what makes them great in the first place.
World-renowned concert pianist András Schiff has long derided flamboyance in conducting and playing classical music. He believes these overly exuberant performers place what is being seen over what is being heard. I don’t necessarily agree, but Schiff certainly believes his understated mode of delivery highlights the music and not the musician.
Making it look easy is very hard to do. Yes, sometimes in organizational life employees can make things look too easy so that they are taken for granted. On the other hand, some employees excel at making basic tasks seem downright Sisyphean as part of their performance art. Good leaders can tell the difference.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Grunting tennis players come to mind. Alas, there is some evidence that their loud grunting at every stroke helps with breathing and power generation. It can also distract an opponent, too, which can provide a competitive advantage.
Image courtesy of #whatseparatesyou.