On May 29, 2012 Zig Ziglar wrote a wonderful article called “Take a Bow”.

In this article, Zig talked about Shinichi Suzuki, a Japanese teacher, who developed a method of teaching music which later was adapted to teaching other skills.
One of the unique things about this teaching method is how it all started: “the first thing Suzuki did was teach his students how to take a bow“.

For Zig the “the reason is simple: When performers take a bow, the audience will applaud”.

However, even before I read his interpretation of the meaning of the bow, I had different view that I would like to share with you today.

I believe that the reason why Suzuki started to teach his students how to take a bow was to always reminding them why they exist on that stage: their audience.

Bowing is a sign of respect and humility. Training his students in controlling their EGO, by showing that it’s not about them, is essential to reach their full potential.
When you hear a crowd applauding you after witnessing your performance is easy to fall pray of your EGO and believe that it’s all about that reward… gaining the audience approval and recognition.

Shinichi Suzuki teaching a young girl to play

However, for me true extraordinary artists don’t do it for the applause. They do it because that’s who they are. They bow because they know that without their audience they’re nothing.

Like Ken Blanchard says “people with humility don’t think less of themselves. They just think about themselves less”.

So like my friend Jen Olney said to me yesterday: “Don’t do it for the applause. Do it for the cause!”

And what about you?

Why do you do what you do?

What do you think about Shinichi Suzuki lessons?