The Importance of Staying Grounded

I used to work in the film industry and had the opportunity to work with a number of well-known film and TV actors. Many were nice and professional; others behaved like they were royalty.

We’ve all heard stories about the outrageous demands and behaviour of some movie, sports, and rock stars. Things like no one being allowed to make eye contact with them, or eating only one colour of M&Ms, or throwing tantrums whenever their desire—spoken or unspoken— wasn’t met.

Tales like these may sound like they’re made up by the paparazzi, but sadly, they’re based in reality. Even on low-budget films, with minor stars, I’ve experienced it.

Many put this down to someone just being a prima donna. Others excuse it because of some special circumstance.

I think it happens because there’s really not much to stop it from happening. On our film sets, some stars would know that without them, we wouldn’t have a movie. We’d lose some of our financing, all of our distribution, and the film set would shut down.

The same power dynamic, and resulting entitled behaviour, is evident with sports stars and rock stars. But can this power-tripping attitude of the rich and famous afflict regular people like you and I?

Yes—every day.

Anyone who has power or has achieved some success can exhibit similar behaviour—perhaps just not as outrageous. If you’ve ever worked with someone with power or significant accomplishments, you may have been the recipient of their power-tripping behaviour.

This includes just about all of us. We’ve all worked with people in power and we’ve been in power ourselves. The list includes bosses, coaches, teachers, parents—even spoiled children. Ever watch a young child order their parents around? Or see young children “boss” their toys around?

The 19th-century historian and politician Lord Acton famously noted that “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” He also observed that “there is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success.”

Acton didn’t know it at the time, but his observations actually have biological scientific evidence behind them. Many recent studies now show that any sort of power, or continued success, can change how someone views the world and those around them. From the loss of empathy and manners to the increase of snap judgments and risk taking, a little bit of power can alter good social behaviour.

Interestingly, the remedy for avoiding going on a power trip is not complicated: it’s staying grounded. Simple household chores and family interactions are a great way to keep one’s head out of the clouds.

It’s hard to feel like you’re the king of the world when you’re changing diapers, cutting the grass, or helping a child get ready for bed.