Some Things I’ve Learned In Eight Years
This last record I worked on marked the 300th album I’ve worked on in the last eight years of my music industry career. Over this time I’ve learned a few things, this is a bit of what I’ve picked up along the way:
1) Treat people kindly regardless of who they are, what their job title is, and whether you like their company or not. If there’s one piece of wisdom I can give to others its this: everything works better if you’re easy to work with. Be a good person and treat people well to the best of your ability regardless of what happens to you. Steve Jobs was not successful because he was a jerk, I like to think he would have been MORE successful if he wasn’t.
2) All companies and bands come and go. Don’t rest your entire existence on something you’re associated with. If you work long enough you likely will be involved with a “15 minutes of fame moment” which will surely end as fast as it started. Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s about you- it’s not. Enjoy it but stay humble and don’t change the way you treat others. Always remember that it could all end and then where are you left if you defined yourself by whatever it was you were associated with?
3) An overnight success is a myth. The Mark Zuckerbergs, Groupons, Adeles and Mumford and Sons of the world are not the rule, they’re the exception. For all the talent and vision these types may have, there is a huge amount of luck involved that just can’t be duplicated. Don’t ever bank on these being your reality, and always prepare for the long haul. You will have to grind it out.
4) There is no such thing as a sure thing. I have worked on so many projects that I KNEW were sure things. Everything was lined up to be so and it just wasn’t. It was no fault of any person, it was just the reality of how things worked out. You can’t control the market; you can try but you can never fully control perception. All you can do is your best and be prepared for what you think will or will not happen. You will always be more successful if you’re willing to accept that what you believed would work didn’t and adjust your strategy accordingly. (Read The Lean Startup if you want to focus on working with this in mind.)
5) Be responsive. The times in my career when I’ve been the most successful were when I’ve been a good communicator and gotten back to people. Even if it’s a “no” or an “I’ll get back to you when I can,” its better than leaving people hanging. Try and treat people as if you’re working with them face to face. If someone asked you a question then would you ignore them? I realize with all the spam and cold call sales it becomes difficult and easy to be jaded with this but try your best.
6) Have educated theories not gut reactions. There is a lot of data out there for you to make intelligent decisions with; use it. Take the few minutes to do the research on your idea and back it up with facts, no matter how strong your gut tells you you’re right. Look at things objectively and don’t use vanity metrics to support your ideas. Make good decisions based on real and useful information available to you. Leave as little room for assumptions as possible.
7) Admitting you’re wrong is a positive reflection on who you are. When I was younger I had a difficult time being wrong or having my ideas not be the ones that were used. This was a complete waste of time and energy. The strongest and most successful people I know are the ones that are willing to admit they’re wrong with confidence and realize that being wrong is not a negative reflection on your talents, it is a positive reflection on your character. It’s okay when others have a better idea than you. It’s ok to not be the center of attention. Remember: It’s not about YOU, its about what your team is trying to achieve. Always make decisions based on what is best to accomplish the end goal, not based on what will stroke your ego.
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