THE ANTITHESIS OF SALIERI’S WORDS!
As a neophyte academician in 1980, I was struck by that brilliant collection of words. Further, I was struck a second time by the message or rather the antithesis of the message. It was the opposite meaning of Salieri’s words that hit me between the eyeballs. Inter-ocular-wise, the antithesis undergirds our professional accountability and success:
“All that we say and do professionally must be regarded as distinguished by peers who are capable of distinguishing.” Berk’s Law (2010)
The “peer review process” establishes the credibility of our work and our worth. It determines the value of our contributions and our advancement in academia. That process also represents the standard of excellence in the profession. Although it is judgment-based and fallible, that standard is sacrosanct; mediocrity is simply unacceptable. (NOTE: These reflections also apply to many other professions.)
BOTTOM LINE: FAME and being regarded as DISTINGUISHED are based on what other people think about you. The culture perpetuates this notion of affirmation of our self-worth by others. Salieri knew the truth. Despite the legitimate role of peer review in our professional world, ultimately the quality of what we say and do is in our hands. That’s who we are now and who we will become.
This message was told slightly differently to hundreds of college basketball players at UCLA in the 1960s and ‘70s by their legendary coach John Wooden who recently passed away: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
What are your thoughts on any of the preceding reflections? Something must have stirred within or outside of you. Tell me. Come on, spew it out. You know you want to comment. What struck you? Do it!
COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC
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