Lately, I’ve been re-discovering the wonder that is the music of the Beatles. After much listening and pondering, here are five leadership lessons from the Fab Four:
1. They went against the grain
It’s hard to imagine now, but back in the 1950s and early 60s artists hardly wrote their own songs and bands rarely existed as self-contained units who played their own instruments. Instead, songwriters and studio musicians were contracted. Obviously this still happens today as well, but thanks to the influence of the Beatles we now have the common vision of the modern band that writes and records their own material.
Don’t be afraid to lead people against the grain. Just because an approach is popular or common doesn’t mean it’s the right way or the best way. For every problem we face, we should ask, “Is there a way to solve this that no one’s ever tried?”
2. They were innovative
In the beginning, the Beatles had to fight to get songs they had written released as singles. Half the songs on their first few LPs were covers, while the rest were original compositions. Sometimes the covers were better than their own songs and think Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison realized this. Plus there was outside pressure to release the covers as singles Nevertheless, Ringo Starr is quoted as saying, “I remember us all being ready to stand up for the principle of, ‘We have written these songs and we want to do them.’”
Later, when the Beatles were given more artistic freedom, they experimented with the album itself being an artistic medium. Up until that point, record albums were little more than one or two hit songs with some “filler” songs. Often, the Beatles didn’t even include their singles on their albums, and worked to craft the albums into a cohesive whole.
Do you fight to be innovative? It’s tempting to re-tread the well-worn path of those before us. We don’t need to be innovative just for innovation’s sake, but we should always leverage all our God-given creativity in our endeavors. It’s scary, but necessary, to think outside the box.
3. They worked hard
The Beatles recorded the majority of their first LP, Please Please Me in one 9 hour and 45 minute marathon recording session. Throughout their career, the Beatles showed a willingness to work long and hard crafting new studio recording methods, and their recording output is extensive. It’s hard to believe they were only active from 1962-1970, because during that time they recorded 12 studio albums, 13 EPs, and 22 singles. Most of this material is regarded as some of the greatest music ever recorded. George Martin, the Beatles’ regular producer, and Brian Epstein, their manager until his death in 1967, are probably most responsible for keeping the Fab Four focused and busy in the studio.
There is no substitute for good, old-fashioned hard work. You can’t succeed without it. Nothing of significance gets born without it. In an age of so many technological distractions, it’s even harder sometimes to “get to work.” But we must. It’s time to work smarter and harder.
4. They worked as a team
The Beatles decided early-on that all four members of the band would sing lead on at least one song an album. This was to ensure that no member would be overshadowed by another. The band was arguably at their best when all four members were bringing contributions to the table, and the influences of all four Beatles can be heard on their recordings. Ringo’s unique way with words inspired songs like “Hard Day’s Night” and “Tomorrow Never Knows.” John was enamored with experimental music. Paul pushed for a re-invention that led to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. George introduced world music and exotic instruments to his bandmates. The examples could go on and on.
The Beatles needed each other. Each had an important role to play. Is that how it is on the teams you lead? Is everyone contributing in ways only they can? Is the influence of each being felt by the others on the team? When this happens on a team, true synergy is achieved and the sky’s the limit.
5. They took risks, and it paid off
The Beatles are one of the few bands in history that have been both artistically innovative and commercially successful. They were willing to take risks and extend their vision with each subsequent recording. Each release was eagerly anticipated and sold like hotcakes. People wanted to see what surprises they would roll out with next. For the most part, the Beatles never disappointed in this area.
Maybe “give the people what they want” is a myth that feeds both mediocrity and fickleness. Maybe what people want most is to be taken on a journey with unexpected twists and turns. Not all the risks we take will pay off, monetarily or otherwise. Does that mean we should ever settle for simply meeting people’s mediocre expectations?