In the most recent season of the Netflix original series “House of Cards,” the actor Kevin Spacey plays the President of the United States, Frank Underwood. As ruthless as he is cunning, there are several important takeaways from his portrayal. Several authors, critics, and journalists have already pointed out some of Frank’s key traits ranging from leadership, relationships, and power. However, I believe there is still one more lesson to learn from a vital scene in that program that many people overlook. That scene can hold the key to success for anyone in the sales industry or looking to start a business.
In the scene, Frank Underwood reads a review of a video game written by the prominent author Thomas Yates (played by actor Paul Sparks.) Frank had played this video game in an earlier scene as a way to blow off steam, as Frank had often done in the past. Mr. Underwood is so enthralled with this video game not because it is addicting but because of the magnificent review given by Thomas Yates. If Mr. Yates’ review of a simple video game could convince the most powerful man in the world to play it, then Thomas Yates must undoubtedly be a talented author.
In this moment, businessmen and women should glean an undervalued sales lesson. Thomas Yates wrote a simple review of a video game – a far cry from his influential nonfiction work – and unknowingly turned it into a way to create a relationship with the President of the United States. Similarly for sales professionals, the best way to create true and lasting business is to do your best work on every one of your projects, especially the projects when people are not expecting a lot out of you; or the projects people don’t pay attention to; or the projects when you think no one is looking.
Thomas Yates did not write this video game review to score a book deal with the President of the United States. Thomas Yates wrote a video game review because he was tasked with the chore from his supervisor, and as a respected and insightful author he gave the best possible effort he could give. Even though he thought no one influential would ever read it, his name was attached to his work. As a business owner, the work you do will forever be attached to your name.
Imagine all the times when you only gave a half-hearted attempt at completing a task. Or imagine all of the times when you only did just enough to get by because you thought no one would ever take you seriously. Or imagine all of the times you simply rubbed stamped mediocre work. Now, I want you to imagine replacing all of those half-hearted and mediocre instances with your best possible effort, focusing all of your energy on producing your best work on that particular project. It does not matter if you know – or you think you know – no one will ever pay attention to it.
Always give everything you do for your business your absolute best effort. In the beginning of your sales career or in the early stages of starting your business, your actions will speak significantly louder than your words. Why not make sure that your efforts are the best they could possibly be? While you may think no one is looking at your work, someone will undoubtedly come along and review, either publicly or privately, your work. Why not make sure all of your work is the best it can be?
If Frank Underwood, the ruthless and cunning President of the United States, can be influenced enough by the work of a video game review, imagine what your future clients are thinking of you by the work you are doing right now.
