For the background of this list – see my original post from 2-10-12.

The #14 Rap Lyric that Shaped my Leadership Style comes from an artist making his second appearance on the countdown (feels like Casey Kasem doesn’t it! And now our long distance dedication from Kris in Birmingham to his life partner Lance in Seattle) – but his first where he’s the actual rapper (check out #24 – Eminem and Little Wayne’s No Love).  Eminem probably has the most commercially popular rap song of all time from his movie 8 Mile and the song “Lose Yourself” – 2002 Academy Award for Best Original Song, and 23 week consecutive weeks at #1 (a record for a rap song).

So, here’s the lyric – from the opening of the song:

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?

Is there a white person alive that doesn’t have this on their iPod and they play it like 17 times while they are working out!?   The baseline alone from this song single-handedly got people to buy crappy Chrysler cars again!    That’s a very powerful song!

I think we don’t do this enough – live on that edge of making it or not making it – too many of us play it safe.  I can’t tell you how many people I know who stay in corporate jobs because they view them as “safe” – that have had opportunities to truly do something amazing, but they don’t.  I lived this life – so I know what I’m talking about.  We are HR Pros – safe is good – not knowing for sure  is scary and bad.  I get it!

I’m envious of those people who can throw caution to the wind and make that Leap.  I do think we (corporate HR drones) can find our balance to reach out for our opportunities inside of our organizations.  I call these “Must Do Moves!”   Everyday in our organization there are things we “have” to do – which means we really don’t have to do them, the doors will open again tomorrow at the corporate headquarters if we don’t – but if we do, just maybe some fantastic change will happen in our organizations.  We need to do more “Must Dos!” It’s good for your soul.  You’ll won’t lose your house. You might find that satisfaction you’ve been searching for in your job.

Enjoy the listen  – it gets me pumped up every time I hear it!