Leadership and Communication lessons from rock stars — Lesson 1

This article is my ode to U2 and Bono.

I am sure all of you have used this home bound time to rediscover your passions and interest. I have rediscovered my love for music and developed a very strong addiction for U2 and Bono. I have always been fascinated by performing artists — musicians, actors, comedians, dancers etc. and wondered how they make thousands of people to sing and dance to their tunes (literally). What a great rush and what a great example in leadership and communication. I often dream of processing this kind of power to hold an audience, wishing I was a rock star. Sadly I can’t sing to save to my life nor do I possess any other performing talent.

In the past few months I have been binge watching live music shows, interviews and reading about their journey keenly observing some of the traits these amazing performers which are totally worth emulating. I wanted to share some of my lessons with you

1. Absolute honesty and transparency — When these rock stars and actors perform they display total honesty and transparency with their audience. While I am sure there is coaching, PR and Image building but underneath all that there is a complete honesty, vulnerability and this is what makes the audience connect so beautifully with them. Watching Tom Cruise, Bradley Copper and specially Bono’s performance at 2001 concert at Slane Castle where he has his heart completely out. What an amazing quality.
2. Making everyone look good — It has been fascinating to see a front man of a band or a lead dancer orchestrating a pack to make the entire performance look good. They nudge , cajole and push their co-artists. They are always generous, they sometimes take the lead, sometimes step back. They cover the mistakes of their co-performers. This brilliant orchestration ensures that the entire performance stands out thus making these performers legends. It teaches us that no one can individually succeed however talented they are. You can’t make it on your own.
3. They simply seize the moment and take lead at the opportune time — When moments come — moments of crisis, moments of opportunity they just raise their game to the next level. We see this often in sports when player would just take a lead. Dhoni in the 2011 World Cup final is one such great example. I see this often in performing arts while you watch Tom Cruise do some death defining stunts, he just raises the game beyond anyone and anything and creates those iconic scenes. They also have the instinct to identify these moments. Watch Bono in Live Aid singing BAD to know what I am talking about !!!
4. Surround themselves with people who make them better — Almost in all cases, I heard them talk about how they partnered with some of the greatest experts indifferent fields. It never easy to work with super talented geniuses. They have egos, opinions, idiosyncrasies but one needs to surround yourself with people who are the best, who are better than you and help you become a better version of yourself. The ability to spot and identify these people and take them along with you in your journey is very critical. Almost every great performer had a story of finding that great cameraman, co-star, show organizer, technical guys or producer etc. and that’s what made them successful.
5. Maniacal passion for the best — This one is obvious. While we all feel we strive for our best in what we do in both the personal and professional life, these performers are in a completely different orbit. They make huge personal and professional sacrifices and push themselves to completely different plane. Fascinating to hear their journeys and wondering will anything be ever enough.

While I immerse myself in the chords of U2 and drool over Bono and day dreaming of waking up as a rock star, I wonder if we can all be rock stars in our small life sphere.

As a rock star, I have two instincts, I want to have fun, and I want to change the world. I have a chance to do both — Bono

Honesty, Generosity, Seizing the moment, Finding the Gems, and Giving it your all is possibly what we need. Maybe not the extent of these amazing performers but just enough to be a rock stars in your life.