No One Ever Leaves a Star - Or Do They? The Norma Desmond Syndrome

In Billy Wilder's movie Sunset Boulevard, lead character Norma Desmond believed no one could ever leave a star.  As we all know, that is not is always the case as it happens all the time.  Fortune can change on the dime and often people caught up in the middle of the mix do not always see the writing on the wall.  This statement sets the framework for the analysis of "The Norma Desmond Syndrome."

I am analyzing several situations currently that are fascinating studies in human dynamics and the unwillingness and/or inability to assess the pendulum's swing.  Why is it so hard to not address a problem in an honest or forthright matter?  Because of overly-permissive new norms where consequences no longer exist, everyone's behavior has been psychologically affected (and exasperated by the Covid Pandemic) to a point where we have unfortunately come to accept and expect less-than-excellent products and service delivery in all sectors without an environment that fosters and recognizes superior quality.  This is most apparent in the new generations of workers who are coming to market with an entitlement mentality rather than the spirit that value of hard work delivers untold happiness and unexpected joy from making something that is good into great!

In my research on regaining a foothold on expectation for excellence, I've been watching three entities grapple with major issues of perception: A) a well-known restaurant; B) a storied non-profit; and C) a professional services firm.  In each case, the audience and interest for each has shifted tremendously to a point where all of them have a solitary choice: figure out a new path OR become extinct.  Each example is guilty of one similar characteristic: they're all acting like Norma and refuse to evolve and accept positive change.

These scenarios are not uncommon by any cadence as it is human nature to deflect and ignore rather than to innovate and do the heavy lifting.  A call to action would be for everyone to look under our collective hoods and approach life with a little more verve and intention to create sustainable results for a bright future.