✏ Leadership, 80s-Hits Style: Part 1

A REAL LEADER FACES THE MUSIC EVEN WHEN HE DOESN’T LIKE THE TUNE

This blog will achieve either one of two things. You’ll either feel nostalgic or confused. As for me, the latter . . .

Oh the 80’s! Who can forget the Rubik’s cube, doing the moonwalk, Blockbuster Video, the Walkman and relating to every John Hughes movie ever made. We lived without mobile phones, computers and the internet — and as crazy as it sounds, we survived! The best part of the 80’s?  The music.

With that, it’s time for a little leadership sing-along by Charge Up . . .

The following is the first half of my take on 18 Top Hits of the 80’s,and how they would apply to leadership today:

  1. “EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD”

(1985 – Tears for Fears)

“…Welcome to your life
There’s no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you acting on your best behavior
Turn your back on Mother Nature
Everybody wants to rule the world…”

The era of entitlement; the myth that all you need is a college degree and a dream to become an entrepreneur with ambitions of quick cash, fast cars, your house featured on Cribs and your very own G6 at the airport. The millennials of today are ready to rule the world now, even if they often lack creativity, ambition and hard work.

 

  1. “DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’”

(1981 – Journey)

“…Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin’ anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on . . .”

Some things just don’t change, and this is one of them. Roll your sleeves up, put in the work, and pay your dues to earn success. Be patient, set goals and find your purpose. It’s all possible, as long as you “Don’t Stop Believin’” in yourself. And don’t forget to go on and on and on….

 

  1. “UNDER PRESSURE”

(1982 – Queen & David Bowie)

“…Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you no man ask for
Under pressure that brings a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets…”

The pressures and stress of leadership is not for everyone. Being able to stay on course requires tremendous discipline. Handling pressure is the mark of a good leader, it only comes to those who earn it. Remember: pressure can make a pipe burst, but it can also create a diamond.

 

  1. “SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO”

(1982 – The Clash)

“…Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go, there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know…”

Thanks to LinkedIn, an over-saturated market of recruiters, and instant resume submissions on company websites, we tend to believe the grass is greener on the other side and it will test your loyalty. On the other hand, some people aren’t loyal to you. They are loyal to their needs for you.  Once their needs change, so does their loyalty.

 

  1. “HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF”

(1982 – Duran Duran)

“…Dark in the city night is a wire
Steam in the subway earth is afire
Do do do do do do do dodo dododo dodo…”

For the aspiring leader, this one is for you. Come out of the gate with a relentless pursuit to listen, learn and grow. Develop your skills, earn trust and put in the work to be noticed. Only the strong survive, but you have to be hungry and want it more than the next. Do do do do do do do do dodo dodo…

 

  1. “FIGHT THE POWER”

(1989 – Public Enemy)

“…Now that you’ve realized the pride’s arrived
We got to pump the stuff to make us tough
From the heart
It’s a start, a work of art
To revolutionize make a change nothing’s strange
People, people we are the same
No we’re not the same
‘Cause we don’t know the game
What we need is awareness, we can’t get careless…”

Social media has created a platform for the masses to create micro revolutions for change. No longer do you need funding, large memberships or specific agendas. With 280 characters, you have the right to speak your mind and challenge traditional thought.

 

  1. “ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER”

(1983 – The Fixx)

“…The deception with tact, just what are you trying to say?
You’ve got a blank face, which irritates
Communicate, pull out your party piece
You see dimensions in two
State your case with black or white
But when one little cross leads to shots, grit your teeth
You run for cover so discreet…”

In our quest to become successful, effective leaders, we begin to notice a pattern based on the harder we work, the bigger the reward. Our self-awareness and ability to identify our strengths allows for us to find our niche and make an impact. Success is made up of the small steps forward, knowing that each will lead us toward our goals.

 

  1. “WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND”

(1981 – Loverboy)

“…Everyone’s watching, to see what you will do
Everyone’s looking at you, oh
Everyone’s wondering, will you come out tonight
Everyone’s trying to get it right, get it right…”

In the 80’s we were working for the weekend, but these days, we are actually working all weekend just to stay ahead in this faced paced world. Trying to find balance can be a challenge for anyone trying to get ahead, but just put your bandanna on and forge ahead!

 

  1. “DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME”

(1985 – Simple Minds)

“…Will you recognize me?
Call my name or walk on by
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down, down…”

What have you done for me lately? That is the battle cry for most companies and people in a leadership position. There is no resting on your laurels or growing stagnant. Constant advancement of skills, ability and contribution are what keep you top-of-mind with upper management. Take a break and you just may be forgotten. Strive to stand out.

 

One thing really does lead to another — make sure you bust a move next week and check out the second half of this post.

Go do great things today and make a difference.

#chargeup   #lessonsinleadership   #leadership  #flashback #the80s #lead   #process  #failure  #success  #moveforward  #change #venture  #lead  #prosper #empower  #motivate  #inspire #gratitude  #integrity  #starttoday #ambition #action  #journey  #destination  #passion  #spirit

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©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.

Victor Pisano✏ Leadership, 80s-Hits Style: Part 1

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