An article this week about university basketball coach Bruce Weber suggested the reason he can’t get his Illini basketball team to win is because he lacks the “con-man gene.”
According to the author of the Daily Herald article, Mike Imrem, those coaches who possess the con-man gene have an ability to trick their players into believing they can win. He went on to suggest this coach was “too honest” to both the players and the media. He also differentiated the university from professional level because the pro coaches are part of a system that can shift blame for losses so they can survive. Evidently in the university arena the coach takes the blame for close-point losses, because not only is he responsible for inspiration, he’s ultimately in charge of hiring and firing of the staff (unlike the pros).
So the con-man gene contains inspiration, shifting blame, tricking people and a willingness to lie. Hmm… only the first of those things is something most of us strive for who want to live an upright life. Interestingly, the Bible predicts a time when right will seem wrong and wrong will seem right, but that’s a whole different topic. What I wanted to focus on instead is this con-man gene and how it plays into general success.
The con-man gene suggests someone successful at sales, at marketing, at selling oneself or a product. Someone with an outgoing, charming or winsome personality who can make anything look good. Hopefully those with a good product don’t have to resort to lying or shifting blame but if for some reason a product has a tough time selling, I suppose it’s human nature to blame someone else when this happens.
The truth is, although I’m just a writer at heart, these days writers also need this ability to sell. Not only their books, but their brand, and their “brand” is themselves. I may not possess the con-man gene, but I do possess a passion for writing and to do it well. And yet I can’t help but realize many of those who are successful at writing possess the ability to confidently, winsomely, present themselves as well as their books.
This past weekend I was on a panel with several other authors at the Evanston Public Library. Several years ago this would probably have worried me, knowing there would likely be a good turnout and I’ve never been comfortable speaking in front of an audience. But somewhere along the way I’ve been able to emulate, to some extent, those who more naturally possess this con-man confidence (is that a redundancy, or what?). I was able to speak without any hesitation or fear about my passion for the writing life. I wanted to sell my name, and do it with honest enthusiasm.
I may not have been born with the con-man gene, and I pray I never resort to blame-shifting, lying or tricking someone into buying my books. But this weekend made me realize the good slice of the con-man gene is a trait that can be learned.
The romance panel at the Evanston Public Library, from the left:
Magot Justes, Julie James, Patricia Rosemoor, Barbara Binns, Yours Truly, and coordinator Librarian Juliette Swett (all of whom, to a certain extent, posses at least as much as I do of the good slice of the con-man gene).
Join Me!