Recently, I ran around Vancouver looking like a fool. 10 km of tomfoolery in my underwear to be exact. I got strange looks from passersby on the day of and questioning comments on the pictures that were posted online. After all, who really wants pictures of themselves in their underwear all over the Internet?
I do. Not because I want the attention, but because the people I was running for do. We were raising awareness and money for research on cancers below the belt as part of the Vancouver Underwear Affair. ($670,000 and a ton of scantily clad runners later would make the Vancouver Underwear Affair a success in my books.)
Sometimes you need to risk looking like a fool for the greater good. Bring some attention to yourself so that the community you represent reaps the benefits. Use your voice to stand up for the little guy. Put your ego and pride aside and go out on a ledge for your team.
As Seth Godin puts it in his books Tribes: “Great leaders don’t want the attention, but they use it. They use it to unite their tribe and to reinforce its sense of purpose.” So, go ahead. Be a fool. But use the attention you get to do good for those that need it more than you.
"The Great Assets"
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3 pings
Matt Corker » Vancouver Pride (and prejudice) says:
August 4, 2009 at 12:08 am (UTC 1)
[...] And, a little underwear never hurts to get people’s attention! [...]
Matt Corker » Showing some skin, for the win! says:
June 27, 2010 at 1:15 pm (UTC 1)
[...] For the past 2 years, The Great Assets have ran around Vancouver in our underwear – and this year is no exception! This revealing, and incredibly fun, 10 km run in the heart of the city is one of the highlights of my summers, but I need your help! [...]
Matt Corker » Underwear Affair 2010 – Your Great Assets says:
July 23, 2010 at 1:24 pm (UTC 1)
[...] when you get to do it in your underwear! The BC Cancer Foundation’s Underwear Affair was, like last year, a total riot. New costumes, a new addition to the Great Assets team, and more of that summer fun [...]