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| Lewis Hamilton celebrates after China GP win, April 2015 (Image: Mirror.co.uk) |
In general conversations, how often do you talk about your achievements? It is crucial to discuss these on a professional level when talking about your path to where you're at today in order to impress your future clients. However, 'achievement' is defined differently, depending on how that individual classes it. Would you say that grabbing a bargain on a new shirt from the sales is an achievement? Would you say your child's success in school is also your achievement? Regardless how you answer these, there is never a limit to your success. A 'little' achievement is still a significant one - you did something that you felt the need to pat yourself on the back for, and self-praise must be celebrated.
But what happens when people confuse achievement with arrogance? When you have done something significant that has been recognised by a wider audience, it is your reaction which is frequently judged by the spectators. In a world where social media is rife, this is often the case and 'celebrities' are often the targets of this judgement. Rather than us recognising the success of an actor winning an Oscar they worked hard for, it is their acceptance speech which we focus on the most. During the most recent Academy Awards, when Eddie Redmayne won Best Actor for The Theory of Everything, he was seen emotional, grateful - armchair viewers like that. When Patricia Arquette won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Boyhood, she used her platform to campaign for equal pay rights for women in the United States that sparked widespread debate - again, armchair viewers like that.
People in the creative field, involved in film and music react to their success in a certain way. They are more aware of how they are perceived in the outer world so that they are picked for the next blockbuster, or they can get a better chance of notching another Number One hit, or so that they can retain crucial sponsorship that puts more dollar into their account. For people who work in sport, it's slightly different - their professional careers are much shorter, and the atmosphere is far more competitive and physical.
Certainly the creative industry is competitive but while Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran, for example, are both praying for their album to be the most downloaded, we see from press reports they are good friends, so on Friday night when they discover who is Number One, we can somewhat legitimately assume they're in the pub together not giving a damn about who gets that spot. Behind the scenes, the record labels may think differently but the face of the song is what matters to the gossip columnists. Would you expect the same when for example, Manchester City play Arsenal in a crucial title deciding match? I'd expect one team to be in jubilant mood if they got the three points. Whoever wins in sport, they can't initially celebrate alone, it is usually in front of their frustrated opponents.
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| Hamilton (r) with Nico Rosberg (Image: Independent.ie) |
However, the Brit's success was overshadowed by a social media storm because the way he celebrated wasn't to the users' liking. As soon as he got out of his car upon finishing the race in the United States, he looked visibly delighted, jumping for joy - perfectly normal. But his exchange with teammate Nico Rosberg afterwards was left to be desired. Rosberg, who while works with Hamilton to ensure their team, Mercedes, wins the Constructors' Championship, is also rivals with the Stevenage-born racer because he too wants to be the world champion.
Now, Formula 1 supporters know that the historic rivalry between Hamilton and Rosberg has been tense since they were put together as a team in 2013. But Hamilton has won the last two world titles so you can imagine Rosberg's frustration. But the reaction by Hamilton on his victory last Sunday in the United States Grand Prix, some argued was childish, others thought it was expected due to his history of rather grace-less celebrations. As I mentioned earlier, it is how an individual react to their success that's, in the public eye, more important than the achievement itself.
I have to admit, I was one of those who didn't admire Lewis Hamilton because of the way he celebrated his victories, and therefore the way he publicly displays his lavish lifestyle off the track. If you look at professionals in tennis and golf for example and see how the players in these sports celebrate their win, it's usually low key, handshake those who just missed out on a bigger cash prize and get on with their lives. Certainly, in Formula 1, four time champion Sebastian Vettel and seven time champion Michael Schumacher found themselves in the more 'modest winner' category. But Lewis Hamilton is often singled out and compared due to the way he celebrates personal success. His worthy victories are overshadowed - perhaps unfairly.
If you look at this from a psychological perspective, I can see the justification towards Hamilton's behaviour. The press often describes how he was from a somewhat poorer background, raised in a council flat in Hertfordshire, he was bullied in school which led him to pursue sports such as go-karting, karate and football. Realising his sporting talents from an early stage, his parents supported him despite limited resources. From a child, Hamilton has sought recognition to prove the bullies, to prove his dedicated parents, to prove himself that he can achieve the status he's got today. No criticism or negativity directed at him will distract him from this. It's how his, and many people who consider themselves an underdog, mind-set works - let's not judge, but understand the journey they have made, and are going through to justify their behaviour.
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