As a general rule, entrepreneurs are always looking to improve themselves and their business ventures. With that being said, business-owners can be a little single-minded when it comes to evaluating their commercial model and output, as they think within narrow lines and the context of their existing market sector.
This can be detrimental, however, as inspiration can in fact be sourced from a number of alternative markets and industries. So long as you are able to think laterally and apply individual lessons to your specific market, it is possible to drive commercial growth and become an infinitely better leader.
3 key leadership lessons that can be learned from musicians
The competitive nature of the music industry and the individualistic mind-set of artists provide the ideal combination for determined leadership. Business owners and entrepreneurs can therefore learn a great deal from the music industry, regardless of which industry they work within. Consider the following: –
1/ Support is integral to good leadership
By its very definition, leadership describes the effective organisation and motivation of others. This means that leaders are often isolated in their position, although this creates a dangerous scenario where it is difficult to succeed.
The best leaders recognise that it is crucial to rely on the support of others, while musicians are particularly in tune with this due to their relationship with fans.
In this respect, entrepreneurs must follow musicians by building a support network that is built on trust, care and a desire to add value. This can empower customers as part of your success, rather than a resource that drives turnover and high sales volumes. The result of this is also greater levels of engagement and the type of loyalty that brands covet.
2/ The importance of adaptability and informed improvisation
Musicians, particularly those with a penchant for performing live, are highly skilled in the art of informed improvisation. This relies on an innate understanding of their craft, which enables them to change and adapt their act without significant preparation or damaging the quality of their performance.
The same principle applies to successful artists in the music industry as a whole, as a recent case study by ticketbis.net revealed that music sales have dropped considerably since 1999 amid the proliferation of digital downloads and the rise of video streaming.
These examples underline the adaptability of musicians, whether they are using their knowledge and instinct to implement change or simply reacting to industry revolution. Such lessons are central to contemporary leadership, who must create models that are flexible and capable of being diversified as and when required. Alongside the analysis of real-time trends, this can drive informed decision making and increasingly successful ventures.
3/ Leaders collaborate and promote the work of others
Throughout generations of musical history, the best artists have always being willing to collaborate with their peers and promote the work of others. Established musicians have certainly worked tirelessly to mentor new artists within their genre, as the relationship between hip-hop legend Dr. Dre and his protégée Eminem proves.
There also remains a huge number of artists that collaborate on a regular basis, combining their unique skills and marketing appeal to establish more commercially successful music.
This is a crucial lesson for business owners to heed, as they look to develop the skill-set of their employees and mentor them to achieve their full potential. After all, good leaders are secure in his abilities and look to surround themselves with capable individuals that can challenge them on a regular basis.
By providing support to those around them, leaders can create strong and independently minded teams that are loyal and highly talented.
