Coaching for Leaders

739: What Leaders Should Learn from Taylor Swift, with Kevin Evers

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Kevin Evers: There’s Nothing Like This

Kevin Evers is a Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review. Passionate about shaping groundbreaking research and amplifying pioneering ideas, he has edited bestselling and award-winning books on high performance, creativity, innovation, digital disruption, marketing, and strategy. He is the author of There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift*.

You may love her music. You may not. You may think she’s a business genius…or perhaps no. But one thing is for sure, you cannot ignore Taylor Swift. In this conversation, Kevin and I explore Swift’s strategic approach and what every leader can learn from her success.

Key Points
  • Swift knows exactly her “job to be done” and delivers on it consistently.
  • Swift treats her fans’ emotions and experiences with respect, and they respond in kind.
  • Andy Grove famously said that only the paranoid survive. It’s one of many traits that helps Swift stay successful.
  • Swift’s transition to pop was promotion-focused rather than prevention-focused. She led the story of her transformation.
  • Not only is Swift clear on her vision, but she regularly reflects on the difficult steps to get there.
  • Swift is a remarkable example of antifragility. Not only does she withstand stress and shocks, but they make her stronger.
    • Resources Mentioned
    • There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift* by Kevin Evers
      • Interview Notes

      Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

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      • How to Keep Improving, with Maurice Ashley (episode 697)
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