It was
played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2
thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a
musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried
to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the
money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then
looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along
hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother
pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time.
This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without
exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a
short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The
man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed.
No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of
the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces
ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua
Bell sold out a theatre in
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the
metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment
about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a
common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we
stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... How many other things are we missing?
This story was provided to me by Patti Cash a lady that is a member of the "in-Between Jobs" support group that I facilitate. Patti reminds us that we overlook true and significant talent every day, whether in our workplaces, or in the growing pool of unemployed professionals.
I also see increasing arrogance on the part of employers, and hiring managers who state openly "these people are lucky to have a job", or "I know they are desperate for a job, so they'll take what I offer them"
Note to hiring managers : Be very careful about the attitudes that your organization sends out:
The tight networks of jobseekers (including the 54% that is actively looking for their next job), are talking about every employer and the attitudes that your organization is sending out. As the economy improves, whether you realize it or not, your organization may have made the top 10 list "Worst Places to Work" by virtue of the attitudes you broadcast today.
