The Voice … Got Me Thinking

At a recent visit to our State Fair, I popped into the booth of our local news channel and quickly became entranced by a big chair in the back of the room. I had to sit on it.

Why? It was from The Voice, one of my favorite TV shows. Each season, aspiring singers have a chance to get mentored by world-famous music icons.

But it all starts with the blind auditions. The celebrity musicians sit in their chairs, back turned to the hopeful singer. They don’t have a clue what this person looks like or how they perform.

All they can focus on is the performer’s voice. But over the years, I’ve learned how nuanced that is. They hear things I’ve never noticed like tone, timing, transitions, weak spots, strengths, song choice, and so much more.

If a judge likes someone, he/she pushes the big button on the chair, which then turns them around to see who they’ve chosen. The singer now gets a chance to be on the show. If multiple celebs turn, he/she gets to choose who to work with.

Which got me thinking …. What if, instead of holding presidential debates like we do today, there might be a better way.

Right now, most of us approach elections, voting and candidates from the perspective of the team or person we already identify with. That’s natural.

But imagine really focusing first on our criteria—what really matters to us and in what priority. Then listening to the candidates with open ears.

If we do this ahead of time, as we listen, we can be asking questions like:

• Is this aligned with what’s most important to me?
• Does this person have a good grasp of the challenges we’re facing?
• Do his/her solutions make sense?
• Am I inspired to take action, to do more?

For me, the big question is: “Can this person create positive change in a polarized world?”

The reality is, we can either fight over things … or work together to create a better future.

My two cents.

Do Something

1. Register to Vote
   Check out Vote.gov. While on this site, you can find out how to vote in your own state. Very useful resource!
2. Vote Early
   I do it every year. No need to stand in long lines that seem to move at a snail’s pace. In my state, ballots will be sent later this week. To find out what’s going on in your state, check out usa.gov
3. Make a Plan to Vote
   Research shows that when people make a plan (like to vote) and tell others what their plan is, they’re much more likely to follow through. So, what's your plan?
4. Leverage Peer Pressure
   When people think their peers have voted, they’re more likely to vote too. If you live in a condo, apartment, or dorm, put up a poster with an outline of the building and little stickers by it. When someone votes, they put a sticker on the building.
   
   You could also adapt this to your neighborhood, church or work site. It’s fun to see the stickers add up.
   
   (Thanks Jean Kummerow for these last two ideas.)

P.S. Here’s a link to some of the blind auditions from last season.

The Best Performances from the First Week of Blind Auditions | The Voice | NBC
youtube.com