With every aspect of our businesses constantly changing, we require leaders that are able to adapt quickly and be innovative in navigating through new challenges. To be extraordinary, you might say.
The best way to explain the qualities of an extraordinary leader is to analyze Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. Full disclosure: I am a Jersey Girl and have been seeing Bruce and the band since 1976. And…to know that they kicked off their world tour on February 1, 2023, thrills me to no end. I have my tickets and I am ready to be transformed!
Bruce Springsteen is an extraordinary leader. He is 73 years old, has 21 albums over a span of 50 years, 20 Grammy Awards, one Academy Award, two Golden Globes, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kennedy Center Honor and a special Tony Award recipient. And, oh by the way, has sold more than 150 million albums globally.
Here are the top 4 qualities that led him to success:
- TRUST – When a fan walks into a Bruce show there is one thing that is absolute – and that is: we know and trust that Bruce will give every ounce he has to the performance. There is an unbreakable code of trust that we are all in the same place to rock, dance, forget whatever else is going on in our lives, and have a grand ole’ time.
- COMMUNICATION – Bruce is not afraid to express his opinion. He communicates clearly, is very open and heartfelt (especially about losing his band mates and friends Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici) and has a backbone. Not everything he says is popular, and he still has the courage to speak his mind.
- VISION – Bruce has known since an early age that he wanted to play music and he has never wavered. His vision incorporates being true to himself, speaking his mind, loving what he does, surrounding himself with a strong community and not compromising.
- INSPIRING – The man oozes inspiration. He loves what he does. It is contagious. When you are at a Bruce concert you are in for the treat of a lifetime. It is part rock concert, part community rally, part spiritual awakening…dance-fever, party, sing-along and just a damn happy crowd of people!! I always walk away wanting to be certain I am listening to my “soul” and living my life to the fullest.
What a great example of extraordinary leadership – be true to who you are, love what you do, build a community of people with similar values, speak your mind and never compromise. It’s time to form our own E-Street Band…
Learn more about our Keep It Real™ Leadership Program where we work together to help you elevate and equip yourself to become extraordinary leaders. For a sneak peek of the program, register for my monthly webinar: Leadership Power Hour – https://www.peoplethink.biz/power-hour/
Till next time,
Karen
