“Johnny Vegas Syndrome”

Recently, I spoke to a great group of executives in the travel industry at the Pearl Theatre in one of my favorite cities, Las Vegas. So I thought it would be timely to share with you an important piece of advice in my book “The Mirror Test” – it’s a syndrome to avoid at all costs. It’s called “Johnny Vegas Syndrome”.

Johnny Vegas Syndrome simply is getting away from the core of who we are. Too big for your britches –that’s what my grandma used to say. It’s the swagger you get after a big victory or success or sale; it’s an inflated sense of self. Too many successful businesspeople let Johnny Vegas invade their leadership style and their business.

And no one, NO ONE wants to work for, do business with or be around Johnny Vegas.

People do business with people they know, like and trust. Let me say that again. People do business with who they KNOW, LIKE AND TRUST.

Johnny Vegas Syndrome is the evil outgrowth of success. The quickest way to offend customers, deflate morale and start down the path of bad decision making is letting Johnny Vegas take over.

So make sure you bust Johnny Vegas, stay true to who you are. Have a trusted friend or colleague who can give you a metaphorical slap in the face if needed. Avoiding Johnny Vegas is an important piece of passing the mirror test.

Celebrate the big victories then figure out how to use them to continue to drive the success of your business. But never let Johnny Vegas hang around.