How The Beatles Can Bring More Life to Your Workplace

February is the shortest month of the year yet it’s loaded with significant dates.

There’s Groundhog Day.

February is National Scouting Month, commemorating the February 8, 1910, founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Next up: Valentine’s Day on February 14.

On the third Monday of every February, Americans celebrate Presidents Day in honor of 2 of the greatest American presidents whose birthdays fall in February: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln’s birthday is connected to another remembrance that occurs every February when Americans, Canadians and Brits observe Black History Month, or African-American History Month.  Before it was a month-long celebration it first was a one-week recognition. The second week in February was chosen in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson because it marked the birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

This year, all of these occasions were duly noted.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles…’

But one of the biggest events in American history was the appearance 50 years ago this month by The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show.

When Ed Sullivan announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles!” the live audience erupted, The Beatles played the first of three original songs – “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – and the world changed forever.

A record-setting 73 million people tuned in that evening in 1964, marking one of the seminal moments in television history.

If The Beatles had flopped, their performance would have been forgotten.

But of course the Beatles didn’t flop.

In fact, the broad exposure on American TV helped The Beatles usher in more than a new style of music.  They brought a new way of thinking, talking and acting that changed how the entire world looked at itself.

News accounts of The Beatles’ first visit to America provide clues to how leaders can approach their craft.

If The Beatles visited your office in those early days, here are 3 tips they might’ve shared:

The Beatles…

1.  Wanted to be great.  Formed in 1960, The Beatles played small clubs all over Europe, often for up to eight hours a night. They worked hard and remained persistent through disappointments and tragedies. By the time they reached America, they had honed their craft but knew they could also get better. People on hand for the band’s Ed Sullivan Show rehearsals marveled that The Beatles were the only group appearing on the show that took their rehearsals seriously.  How good do you really want to be?

2.  Brought a fresh approach to their work. The music of The Beatles was informed by American rhythm and blues, but the band injected enough of their personality to make their music their own. They were continually experimenting with new styles and sounds. What are you doing to make what you do special for your customers and your employees?

3.  Didn’t take themselves too seriously.  While they wanted to do their best, they loved what they were doing and they made time for fun. When asked during their first American press conference, “How do you find America?” Ringo Starr jokingly replied, “Turn left at Greenland.” The Beatles had fun because they loved what they were doing.  Do you love what you’re doing?

After all, money can’t buy you love.

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