In An American President when President Andrew Shepherd (actor Michael Douglas) asks for and receives A.J. (Martin Sheen) his Chief of Staff his honest opinion, it angers the president and they have a heated exchange:
President Andrew Shepherd: Is the view pretty good from the cheap seats, A.J.?
A.J.: I beg your pardon?
President Andrew Shepherd: Because it occurs to me that in twenty five years I’ve never seen YOUR name on a ballot. Now why is that? Why are you always one step behind ME?
A.J.: Because if I wasn’t, you’d be the most popular history teacher at the University of Wisconsin!
The cheap seats aren’t really cheap. A.J.’s task was, most likely, back breaking, gut wrenching and thankless. But A.J. knew his efforts to move Andrew Shepard out of the History Department and into the White House would be the most significant use of his talents. A.J. was more than willing to take a cheap seat because he knew he could contribute more from there. For the love of the game.
In my life I have been fortunate enough to have friends willing to sit in the cheap seats of my life. They’re always there. They’re supportive and loving and helpful. They listen, they weigh the options, and they tell it like it is. You know what they don’t do? They don’t pander to me. Real friends won’t. Don’t make a collection of sidekicks. Check your circle for people who always say “you are so clever.” Make more time for those who say “I’ve seen you do better.” Pull up a chair and listen hard when they talk. Their words will be clues how to navigate yourself towards improvement.
A.J. is right when he says to President Shepard without me you would have never even dreamed of more. It’s the same for me. My friends saw potential in me that I would have never recognized on my own. They pointed out strengths and weaknesses and helped steer me to who I am today, and who I hope to be tomorrow.