Getting Back to Great Leadership

When I was about 10, my parents bought me and my brothers the double album, 'Beatles Rock n Roll'. We used to sit in front of the record player, listening and singing to that record (a double album with a great 'sleeve') all the time. We loved it, and although many of the songs were from The Beatles' German Period' and therefore covers, I think what we loved most was the group's sense of fun and willingness to add their style to an old song.

Fast forward 40 years, and I'm watching "The Beatles: Get Back" on Apple TV, masterfully crafted by Peter Jackson. In my opinion, this docuseries is a profound exploration of one of the most influential bands of our time or any time. The series, which apparently drew on about 150 hours of film to create three three-hour episodes, examines not only the band's songwriting and creative processes (I love that Paul McCartney, at the age of 28, is composing 'The Long and Winding Road' on piano and dubbing it 'the boring song' before moving seamlessly on to composing a little tune by the name of 'Let it Be'!) but also the internal dynamics that shaped their groundbreaking work.

In doing so, the series underscores how vital the concept of leadership was to The Beatles' success, most notably embodied in the role of John Lennon. At the same time, I think it provides lessons for all of us about the value of leadership in organisations.

John Lennon was more than a co-founder of The Beatles; he was the beating heart of its unique sound and trailblazing style. The series highlights Lennon's influence, which stemmed from his remarkable talent and his capacity to steer, inspire, and challenge his bandmates.

Lennon's leadership was crucial in pushing the band beyond established musical boundaries. He was an ardent proponent of experimental approaches that helped morph The Beatles from a popular rock and pop outfit into a genre-defying artist (from 'Should Have Known Better' to 'Helter Skelter'!). His relentless quest for authenticity and revolutionary music shines through in every episode of the series.

Lennon's leadership wasn't merely influential; it was transformative. It catalysed The Beatles' evolution from a traditional pop ensemble to pioneers of psychedelic and experimental rock (albeit that this was after The Beach Boys released 'Pet Sounds', leading to The Beatles attempting to 'one up' them by releasing 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' and then 'The White Album').

The series illustrates how Lennon's innovative thinking significantly influenced the band's work ethos. Despite the occasional interpersonal strife and creative discord (such as George Harrison resigning from the band in the middle of them having to write 14 songs for a new album and live performance!) Lennon's unwavering commitment to artistic authenticity and some pragmatism (they were much better with Harrison than they would have been without him) fostered a vibrant and productive musical environment.

Lennon's leadership was also marked by inclusivity. He valued McCartney's inputs and critiques and nurtured George Harrison's emerging songwriting prowess. Lennon realised that the strength of a band was collective, not individual. He encouraged a creative space where everyone's voice mattered, a perspective reaffirmed throughout the film.

Lennon's distinctive leadership - audacious, inclusive, innovative, and dynamic – has relevance for all of us in leadership roles. He dared to challenge the status quo and championed artistic and creative freedom and integrity.

This film clearly shows that Lennon was a transformative leader without whom The Beatles may not have achieved as much as they did. While the film shows McCartney at, arguably, the height of his songwriting powers, it's when Lennon steps back into his leadership role in the third episode (I thought he was 'coming down' off 'something' for much of the first and second episodes!)  that we witness the collective become cohesive. Even McCartney is quick to say explicitly that 'John's the boss' and then they 'go for it', creating another great album together.

This is a docu-series that has a number of 'layers'. However, on one level, it is a reminder of the capacity of leadership to inspire others, to promote and nurture creativity and innovation, and by doing so, to produce something better (much better in the case of 'Get Back') than the sum of its parts.