What You Can Learn About Leadership From Beyoncé

In a conversation last week with a friend about the start of school next month, he shared his frustration about leaders talking the talk but not walking the walk. His district is about to embark on a three day in-service about equity, and improving student performance. His frustration is rooted in the amount of time spent on the in-service compared to the actual commitment of site and district leadership toward equity for the kids who show up for school every day. Usually, equity is spoken of as a civil right (which it is) and how the team has to do more (which it does), except when school starts, no one seems to care about equity anymore; everyone seems to default to old habits and no one seems to be bothered by it. This type of talking about right and wrong with an air of superiority when the speaker falls short of that standard is called moralizing by behavioral psychologists. Others call it sanctimony. This behavior is helpful in the short term as it taps into the sense of purpose in people. Defaulting to old habits is disappointing to those same people.

We’ve been friends for 25 years and he never fails to deliver the best examples to illustrate his point. In this conversation he explained that all of Beyoncé’s dancers and singers are world class, some of the best you can find anywhere, “but Beyoncé is in front doing it even better than them, that’s what people want in their leader.” Leadership experts call this, walking the talk. As he continued making his point it became clear that he was tired of his time being wasted with this talk when experience his experience told him leaders were not committed to it; moralizing. This practice of not walking the talk is harmful for leaders and the organizations they lead. Instead, this time spent moralizing values to followers to satisfy compliance requirements (checking boxes) leaves your people feeling empty in the end.

Just prior to the 2016 International Women’s Day, Beyoncé gave an interview to right.com where she shared leadership advice in 5 steps, numbers 2 and 4 are relevant to this conversation about leadership.

2. Be the best in class. Just like Beyoncé, in a room of experts, you need to be the lead expert so do your homework, practice and apply what you know every day.

4. Have an impeccable work ethic. Be first to arrive and last to leave, follow up on everything, take pride in getting things done.

Beyoncé is one of the great exemplars of success in America, growing up in Houston, Texas, she had a dream from a young age and worked for years through frustration and difficult people to achieve it. When opportunities came to default to what was easy, she fought through it and today, the word enjoys the fruits of her work and sacrifice. One of the best on stage performers of all time. The same is true for leaders. Leading is emotionally and physically exhausting; there is a toll for this role. To escape the pressure cooker for a short while is real.

When the pressure is high is exactly when we need leaders to step up even more. If they default to ‘checking boxes’ not only will the rank and file fall back, but they won’t get excited the next time you need them. Instead, they default to cynicism. When a new step or song is introduced to the performers, you guessed it, Beyonce is first to work at it, usually first to master it and adds a twist to make it hers, then she helps her team learn it. At work, your people expect the same of their leaders. If she were to get tired and stand off to the side while the rest of her team performed, you would get a markedly diminished product (see Cameo’s Larry Blackmon). The same thing happens when leaders fail to stick with the plan. The dominoes fall from there, in this instance, leaving students with a diminished education.

In 2008 Beyonce released the album I am… Sasha Fierce. On that album she sings “I talk like this cause I can back it up, I walk like this cause I can back it up!” Essentially, talking the walk with a ton of swag. When the boss is acting like a boss, leading and supporting others, it is motivating to the team. When the chips go down, the leader needs to double down on the plan and affirm that everything will be okay, that eliminates anxiety and insecurity. Instead, it brings out the best in the individuals on the team. Less moralizing, less sanctimony, more Bey. Leaders who can talk and back it up SOAR!

William A Brown

July 28, 2019

https://www.right.com/wps/wcm/connect/right-us-en/home/thoughtwire/categories/career-work/leadership-lessons-from-beyonce-knowles

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