It would be impossible to keep track of the number of musicians who list The Beatles as their inspiration. It is also hard not to like at least one of their melodies, from Love Me Do to The End there’s something for every kind of taste. But what can we as members of an organization learn from the Fab Four?
- Get by with a little help from your friends. John Lennon and Paul McCartney are arguably the most famous songwriting team of our times. They would finish each other’s songs, improve verses, fill in blanks and hit hard-to-reach notes (such is the case in A Hard Day’s Night, written by Lennon with the bridge sung by McCartney because John couldn’t). At work you must encourage an environment of collaboration where everyone’s output is considered. If you are stuck on a project or testing a new idea, run it by your colleagues. After all it was Ringo Starr, who rarely got to write, who originated the title of that song, an album and a movie.
- Act naturally. Even after recording hit after hit and becoming world famous, the Liverpool Quartet never lost their down-to-earthness and that’s what the press loved about them. They always joked and had fun onstage and offstage. At the office and outside you got to love what you do and do what you love. Don’t try to impress your supervisors with a phony or obnoxious attitude even if you are the best at what you do. Never look down upon anyone in a lower job position. Remember you’re all part of the same team!
- Take a sad song and make it better. Yoko Ono came in and broke up The Beatles or so the story goes. John left in 1969 and then Paul made the announcement later on. The truth is all four members were ready to carry on separately with their own music and being a Beatle was just not fullfilling anymore. So it was essentially a good thing that the band broke up before releasing an album nobody would have really wanted to do and in time for us to enjoy the successful solo careers of John, Paul, George and (again, even) Ringo. Maybe you didn’t get that promotion, your project was shut down or your idea got shelved. Accept apparent defeat as part of the learning process and keep your head out looking for new opportunities. Don’t be discouraged; after all, The Beatles were at first rejected by Decca being told that “The Beatles have no future in show business”.
4. Play golf.
So whether you have the wit of John, the charm of Paul, the insight of George, Ringo’s sense of humor, or the outsourced talent of Billy Preston, your role is vital for your band’s company’s success.