What could Bruce Springsteen teach us about management? Scott Eblin has a few ideas, inspired by a recently published interview with E Street Band guitarist Nils Lofgren. The band has been a tight-knit, successful group for more than three decades, and Eblin makes the astute point that business leaders can learn a lot from Bruce and the band.
Here are a few nuggets Eblin gleaned about doing business on E Street:
1) Keep It Fresh: Rather than follow the same rehearsed script at every concert, Bruce likes to mix it up with surprise numbers that the band hadn’t worked on. “By stretching the band in this way, Springsteen is introducing a fresh element that adds some fun and keeps everyone engaged,” Eblin points out. “What are you doing to keep it fresh for your team?”
2) Experience Matters: Lofgren said the band collectively has about 300 to 400 years onstage. “Experience and practice leads to world class performance,” says Eblin. “As a leader, what kind of experience matters most to the results that you and your team are expected to deliver? What are you doing to recruit and develop that experience?”
3) Don’t be Afraid to Stick to Your Principles: Agree with him or not, Bruce interjects plenty of social commentary into his music and activities. Eblin applies this lesson to business: “As a leader, what matters enough to you to take a stand and stick with it? What are you doing to communicate those principles?”
4) Passion, Passion, Passion: Passion drives Bruce Springsteen and the band members to play with vigor and vision for hours on end. “I’m not suggesting that you slide across the floor of your office on your knees at your next staff meeting,” Eblin observes. “But what are you doing to let your team know what you think is worth being passionate about?”
A fifth point I would like to add to Eblin’s list is a genuine willingness to share the limelight with team members. Even though Bruce Springsteen is the center of attention, he generously passes the credit around, and treats his bandmates like gold. Bruce introduces saxophonist Clarence Clemons as “The King of the World,” for example. How many managers treat team members with these kinds of buildups?
These are smart approaches because inspiring, team-oriented leaders can rally people to accomplish extraordinary things for the business. And remember, you don’t need a rock star — simply a Boss who really knows how to make a difference.
