If you haven’t seen it yet, 20 Feet from Stardom is a documentary that doesn’t take a conventional look at the music industry. Instead, it chooses to focus on backup singers. It won the most recent Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Do You Want to Be a Backup Singer or a Star?

There’s a lot to learn from 20 Feet from Stardom, but one thing is very clear: No one becomes a successful backup singer whose end goal is to be a backup singer. Every single one them wants to be a star in their own right, which is why current rock stars want to work with them.

Lisa Fischer has sung backup for Luther Vandross, The Rolling Stones and Tina Turner. She won a Grammy for her solo album. Darlene Love had a #1 solo single and sang backup for Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick and The Beach Boys.  Judith Hill has sung backup for Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Elton John and has garnered features on entertainment programs for her solo work.

What is the lesson in this example?  Working with people who are already rock stars is a strategic way to build a reputation, credibility, experience that can lead to becoming a star in your own right!

Do You Want to Be a Supporting Actor or a Lead?

Perhaps you feel like your strongest professional qualities are in supporting roles. You’ve proven that you excel at leading and supp05orting your clients and also supporting your team.   As an introvert, I understand how easy it is to shun the spotlight and avoid being overwhelmed by too much attention and large crowds.

However, have you considered that you might be able to channel these kinds of strengths into becoming more of a leader in your industry?  Because the truth is that the more known you become, the easier it becomes to attract clients, charge higher fees, and grow your business into the success you are coveting.

Do You Want to Be the Captain of Your Ship or an Eternal Ensign?

You may have heard a motivational speaker say something along the lines of, “If you don’t make the decisions about where your life is going to go, someone else will decide for you.” If you view your life as a ship, who is in control of that ship? Just because you might excel at supportive endeavors, does that mean that you can’t take the driver’s seat in your field?

Every driver has had the experience of their car breaking down and suddenly feeling like they’ve turned the control of their momentum into someone else’s hands. However, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t still the captain of your ship. Good captains ask for help when they need it, and sometimes that means seeking out experts who are further ahead, or “out in front” and can pull you forward faster.

Are you ready to sing the lead in your own song? Are you ready to launch the ship and take the lead?  Is your business where you’d like it be, and do you have hopes for having more recognition and respect among your peers?  If so, don’t settle.  Make a plan to claim your fame and seek out the stars who can help you get to the moon.