Playing the Long Game of Leadership

I like listening to music, but I wouldn’t describe myself as a huge music fan. I’d never heard of the band The Velvet Underground until I heard about an amazing story.

In 1967 the band released an album titled “The Velvet Underground and Nico.” It was funded and managed by the famous artist Andy Warhol (who also designed the cover art). But it was rejected by Columbia Records, Atlantic Records, and many others. It released with no acclaim. Sales were terrible. Even the German singer Nico was fired from the band shortly after its release.

And yet, here’s what British musician and producer Brian Eno said in 1982:

“The first record sold only 30,000 copies in its first five years. But everyone who bought a copy started a band.”

Everyone who bought a copy started a band. Including a young musician no one had ever heard of named David Bowie.

The Velvet Underground’s influence came not in enormous album sales, but by inspiring an entire generation of musicians. Now that’s influence. It’s why Rolling Stone voted it #23 of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

You can lead by addition or you can lead by multiplication. One is about quick results and a lot of fanfare. The other is the long game; you won’t become famous, but you will have tremendous influence.

Play the long game. Lead in such a way that it inspires everyone who listens to you to start a band.