Let Confidence Have the Hour

Heavy D (Photo from beembee.com)

I often suggest that “networking” is an important skill. When it comes to connecting and winning others over, Heavy D was one of our honored teachers.  He accepted his self.

This week in Money-earning’ Mount Vernon, Heavy D will lay down. Dwight Myers was a man I admired. Smooth deep voice, Jamaican groove. Agile. A big man. I adored him because people loved him.  He was confident.

Let’s be real – he was a public big man in a world where we prize the svelt. It did not seem to phase him.  He was agile – the man could move on a stage.  He accepted his weight and wasn’t afraid to dance in public. Articulate. Stylish. Cool. I wanted to hang out with Heavy D – so did everyone else I knew.  He was an actor and an entrepreneur – he was interesting. Whenever I saw him or heard him, he seemed to flirt. His sound and his smile lifted me.

A networking observer’s dream: do your thing in public; be ready to listen and add to a conversation; walk in to a spot like you won it; be interesting; have an introduction – with your body and words – that captures others; and, be confident in who you are.

Peace out Mr. Myers with the Big-Confident-Old Jams to Pump Your Kicks Before You Go Out to Network Playlist:

• The Overweight Lover’s in the House – Heavy D & The Boyz
• I’m Bad – LL Cool J
• La Schmoove – FU-Schnickens
• Sucker M.C.’S – Run-DMC
• Night of the Living Baseheads – Public Enemy
• Doowutchyalike – Digital Underground
• The Choice Is Yours – Black Sheep
• Hot Sex – A Tribe Called Quest
• Plug Tunin’ – De La Soul
• Flava In Ya Ear – Craig Mack, Rampage & The Notorious B.I.G.
• Still Not a Player – Big Punisher featuring Joe
• Now That We Found Love – Heavy D & The Boyz & Aaron Hall
• Going Back to Cali – LL Cool J
• Welcome To The Terrordome – Public Enemy
• Can You Rock It Like This – Run-DMC
• Set Adrift On Memory Bliss – P.M. Dawn
• Move the Crowd – Eric B. & Rakim
• Me, Myself, and I – De La Soul
• Check The Rhyme – A Tribe Called Quest
• Children’s Story – Slick Rick
• Moment Of Clarity – Nick James
• Baby Don’t Cry (Keep Ya Head Up 2) – 2Pac & Outlawz
• Just a Friend – Biz Markie
• Vivrant Thing – A Tribe Called Quest