Main Stream (Intern Edition)
The definition of mainstream is “the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are regarded as normal or conventional; the dominant trend in opinion, fashion, or the arts.” While attitudes are “a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior.” So, what is your attitude or stand regarding the mainstream?
Enter The Mainstream
We all know that water naturally follows the path of least resistance. When it does it creates a dominant flow. With gravity’s assistance a channel gets created over time and when combined with erosion this channel gets reinforced. In effect, the mainstream strengthens itself just by virtue of its existence. Now isn’t that something?
Avoid the mainstream and you miss out on its awesome energy. Resist it and you waste precious resources. So, is the mainstream right? Is it good? Bad? Is it where you should be? Who knows? It really just is. So what can you do?
First, no matter what it is you must accept it. Until you do that, you will have no power with it. Then, develop yourself as a master mainstream influencer if that speaks to you. Otherwise, just enter the main stream.
Influence at the Confluence
In countless areas you already follow the mainstream never questioning what you are thinking or doing. However, there are areas you are unwilling to be part of the mainstream and you want to shift its course. It may be why you started that business or stay at the firm you are with.
For me, I am averse to treating interns with anything less than dignity. The mainstream thinks it is okay to not pay 40% of them. Mainstream management still doesn’t prepare for its interns. Lastly, the mainstream likes to joke about interns, like “How does an intern take their coffee? Very seriously, because they know their job might be on the line.” Inspiring, sigh.
Intern dignity is mine. You have yours – the environment, governance, and women’s rights, to name a few. The strong flow goes in one direction. You seek to divert it to benefit all. But how? Sales skills. That’s how you build your own stream. Over time, that stream gets big enough and strong enough to meet the mainstream at a confluence you create. It now changes forever.
The Future Mainstream
Students today are the mainstream of tomorrow, agreed? So, what if you donated copies of How To Intern Successfully to your high school senior class or your college career office? As a bonus this month only, if you send 11, I will send 2 as well. Email me if you are moved to do so.
There’s a confluence ahead – starting with sharing the book and ending with you getting your own coffee – where dignity becomes the new attitude in mainstream internships. So, what mainstream are you going to contribute to, and what confluence are you standing for?
Here's to you and your awesome future.
Until then, keep your feet on the board and keep riding your wave!
Robert J. Khoury
CEO Agile Rainmakers