Life is short, fame is fleeting (something to keep in mind as you build your personal brand)

Rich: You are right. Paul had his own kind of ego. He needed constant attention and reinforcement, but to be honest I don't think he took the business and his role in it seriously enough to be bothered having the kind of ego you refer to. I remember him always being surprised that the stuff he did even worked. It was almost childlike wonder at how or why it ever should work. He could be difficult, but no one would ever argue he wasn't funny as hell and even more talented than funny.

Edward, Very nice commentary on Paul. As you know, I left advertising (at Mullen), almost ten years ago. My office was next to Paul's. He was, in fact, the last person I saw the day I left Mullen. I've met many people in the ad business over the years with amazing egos and an absurd sense of self importance. To be honest, most of them were creative directors. I never once got the feeling from Paul that he thought he was important or special -- actually quite the opposite. He was probably the kindest person I ever met in the business. I'll miss him. Rich P. .-= Rich Person´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.

Sorry for your loss, Ed. This post hit me hard, arriving at a time of reflection triggered by my own birthday (the 12th.) Thanks for sharing it. Still processing what it means for me.

Smith wasn't a cynic, though he is often put to cynical purposes these days. On the contrary, he would admire your friends who liberated themselves from their mean aspirations. Wanting to be admired ("glory" was once perceived as the only worthwhile ambition) isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but everyone benefits when we strive be admired for our virtues (charity, judgment, grace) as well as our "Position" to use the terms of the era. .-= Scott Karambis´s last blog ..Performance anxiety: dirty workers on cable TV =-.

Scott: As always you introduce me to ideas, thoughts and sources that I wouldn't have considered. I have to admit that both you and Adam are right. Think about how and why crowdsourcing is working so well. People are willing to create, contribute, and compete, not for money, but for glory and visibility. So sure, there is some vanity involved. And yes, most people would like the notoriety of awards and thousands of followers. But every time I speak with someone who stopped pursuing that as a goal, and instead focused on the work, the idea, helping others, doing what they believed, they felt liberated. That being said, I'm sure there are many among us who'll continue to use it as a gauge of our success.

One of things I liked most about working with Paul late in his career was how relaxed he was. It was a nice contrast to the normal mania of our business. If we really wanted to help one another to keep our priorities straight (which I doubt, but let's say we do), maybe it should be the responsibility of the already-successful to help the young climbers remember what's important. But before we get too down on our hunger for fame, many great thinkers including Adam Smith have viewed this desire for approval and praise as a necessary and powerful engine for personal and social ambition. Here he is in "Theory of Moral Sentiments," the philosophical foundation for his later and more well-known "Wealth of Nations." “(T)o what purpose is all the toil and bustle of this world?” Smith asks. What human drive lies behind avarice and ambition? Is it to supply the necessities of nature? The wages of the meanest labourer can supply them. To be observed, to be attended to, to be taken notice of with sympathy, complacency, and approbation, are all the advantages which we can propose to derive from it. It is the vanity, not the ease or the pleasure, which interests us." .-= Scott Karambis´s last blog ..Performance anxiety: dirty workers on cable TV =-.

Great post Edward. Thanks. Immediately made me recall the moment, milling about at my father's memorial service, when I read the prayer a 7 yr old girl in his youth choir had written to God in a Get Well card she'd sent to the hospital. In it, she closed by saying, "...he is the salt in my soup."

I love the quote from Jim Mullen "“Life is for the living. Live large. Live strong. And most of all, live kindly.” Such people are not bothered about being known by the 'insular' group of people as Scott Wild describes. I think all great people, in advertising or other fields, practiced this thought. David Ogilvy come to my mind and so does Bill Bernbach. No wonder they created great agencies or organisations. I am sure so did Paul Silverman and that is why the tribute such as this comes from the heart. Nice post. .-= Subbu´s last blog ..Top 10 I Wish I Had Written This =-.

Jonathan: Well said. It's obviously true. We sometimes need dramatic events in our lives to make us remember that. In this day and age, when personal awareness and recognition can come quickly, it's like a drug for some people. They get a taste and want more. What they forget is how quickly they can fall off the radar, too. Which isn't simply a reminder to follow your advice, it's a reason to never lose sight of it in the first place.

I have many professional aspirations. But, in the end, there's only on legacy I really care about. And, that's being a great dad, husband, brother, son and friend. Everything else, fun as it is...pretty much window-dressing. .-= Jonathan Fields, Social Media Sponge´s last blog ..F2 | Fire Fly Manifesto: Remixed – Released by ChangeThis.com =-.

Stuart, Good points. We do work in a narrow business. However, fame and "looked up to by your peers," may be different. The latter is about admiration. Admiration comes from accomplishment and kindness. Perhaps more worthy a pursuit than fame. I guess the point I was trying to make is simply that fame as an end in itself is unworthy. Sure we would all enjoy it to whatever degree we attain it. But to pursue it, rather than do what we believe for a more meaningful purpose, seems a waste of time. So do something that matters, hope that it helps, live up to your standards, and act kindly. If fame comes great, if it doesn't who cares?

The term that David Armano used to describe this? Micro-famous. Personally, I love that term because it so accurately describes the bubble like atmosphere that exists in pretty much every field. You know who is at the top, bottom and middle within your specific field. But if you looked into archaeology? HR? Or engineering? It's doubtful that you would have as firm a grasp. It's all about being able to say that you are looked up to by your *peers*. Fame outside your vertical is great...but nearly impossible in some circles. Most of us only achieve greatness in one area. .-= Stuart Foster´s last blog ..Our Re-Culture =-.