The Learn-It-All Podcast 109: What Working With David Bowie and U2 Taught This Entrepreneur About Business | Tony Michaelides
What if the secrets to leading high-performing teams could be found in how David Bowie managed his band or how U2 rose from playing to 11 people in a pub to becoming global superstars?
In this fascinating episode, legendary music industry veteran Tony Michaelides shares powerful leadership insights gained from four decades of working with some of rock's biggest names. From David Bowie's approach to empowering talent to U2's relentless work ethic, Tony reveals how the principles that built legendary music careers apply directly to building successful businesses and teams. His stories and lessons challenge conventional wisdom about leadership while offering practical strategies any leader can use to build and motivate exceptional teams.
This Episode Covers:
- Why the biggest artists were often the easiest to work with and what that teaches us about effective leadership
- How David Bowie's management style of not micromanaging brought out the best in his team
- The critical importance of curiosity and continuous learning in both artistic and business success
- Why preparing for success early (like U2 did with publishing rights) is essential for sustainable growth
- How resilience and the ability to turn mistakes into opportunities separates great leaders from good ones
- The power of authentic relationship-building in developing talent and growing organizations
- Why true innovation often comes from empowering teams rather than controlling them
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction to Tony Michaelides – Damon introduces Tony, highlighting his incredible career in the music industry.
(02:00) David Bowie: A Masterclass in Reinvention – Tony shares how Bowie’s constant evolution influenced his work and inspired innovation.
(05:30) U2’s Rise to Stardom – Tony recounts the early days of U2, their work ethic, and the pivotal moments that led to their global success.
(09:00) Storytelling as a Leadership Tool – Tony discusses how great storytelling builds trust and inspires teams to rally behind a vision.
(12:33) Turning Setbacks into Success – Tony highlights lessons learned from the music industry on resilience and creating opportunities from challenges.
(17:00) Collaboration and Trust – Tony explains why trust and collaboration are critical to building successful careers and teams.
(33:18) The Future of Storytelling – Tony reflects on the enduring power of storytelling in music and business.
(45:00) Final Thoughts on Leadership – Tony shares actionable advice for leaders on fostering curiosity, resilience, and connection.
About Tony:
Tony Michaelides, a music industry titan with over 50 years of experience, built one of the UK's most successful promotion companies while working with legendary artists including U2, David Bowie, The Police, and Whitney Houston. After receiving the prestigious "Alien of Extraordinary Ability" visa for his contributions to music and arts, he relocated to the USA where he transformed his unparalleled industry expertise into a successful consulting and speaking career. Now, as an author, podcast host, and international speaker, Michaelides shares leadership insights from rock and roll through his "Moments That Rock" platform, drawing on his experiences with music icons to bridge the worlds of artistic creativity and business leadership.
Resources Referenced:
Tony Michaelides on LinkedIn
Moments That Rock podcast
Moments That Rock by Tony Michaelides
THE INSIGHTS COLLECTION - INSIGHTS FROM THE ENGINE ROOM by Tony Michaelides
Tower Records documentary (All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records)
Hunter S. Thompson's Rolling Stone writings
Podcast Contact Information:
Website: www.learnit.com
Email: podcast@learnit.com
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