Photo by Bob Campbell
I’m looking forward to start my new year by a friend’s invitation to the Economic Club of Grand Rapids lunch that will feature Charles Spencer, the Ninth Earl of Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, as the speaker. The topic will be how the Princess’ philanthropy helped Britain throughout the world. Really Princess Diana was able to rebrand the royal family into a more human family by being relatable and compassionate truly “the Peoples’ princess.” By Princess Diana’s unintentional rebranding of the royal family she was able to energize her philanthropies and charm the World toward Great Britain.
One of her strengths was her ability to show love and compassion. Can love be strength in “branding”? Yes, especially if it adds a human component that is lacking in the company. Britain was very well regarded and the pomp and circumstance, who could do it better? But the “stiff upper lip” needed a bit softening. Her humanness juxtapose against the crust of the upper crust created just enough conflict and oddly welcoming intrigue. People wanted to meet her, touch her, see her, and be her. Not only was she a boon for the tourist industry but she was able to draw attention to land mines, AIDEs and many other philanthropic causes partly because she was imperfectly human, compassionate, relatable, and vulnerable. At times she seem to be in conflict by doing what was “right/correct/royal” and doing what her heart really wanted to do. Often she chose love and her heart over correctness and people couldn’t get enough of her. In the harsh realities of business, we can be inspired by Princess Diana when faced with our own business questions. Is your love showing in what you’re doing, if not, how’s that working for you?