Quotes about the tour

“A once in a lifetime phenomenon” – Variety
“A masterclass in pop ambition” – Los Angeles Times
“A career spanning victory lap” – Rolling Stone
“The most impressive stadium show ever conceived” – uproxx

Taylor Swift has been a key voice in almost every playlist I’ve created since middle school. I will unabashedly turn her tunes up and sing along. Her music makes me happy and has always connected with me. I first got to see her perform live at LSU’s Tiger Stadium when I was in high school. That show was unreal. So, when she announced her Eras Tour, I knew I had to be a part of it. I saw her epic and amazing show in Chicago this year, and I am heading back in 2024 with my sister and nieces in tow.

Now, why should you be paying attention to a pop icon’s latest tour?

Taylor Swift is not only a global pop icon, but also an astute business leader, constantly innovating and crafting her brand in an industry marked by fierce competition and rapid change. Over the years, Swift has shown a knack for redefining her image and music to appeal to a broad and evolving audience. Beyond the stage, she has negotiated multi-million dollar contracts, fought for artists’ rights against streaming giants, and built an impressive music empire, all of which underscore her business acumen and leadership prowess. As a woman in a predominantly male industry, her achievements are even more noteworthy, making her a role model for women aspiring to leadership roles in their respective fields.

If you have surfed any type of news outlet in the past five months, I’m sure you have seen a headline or two revolving around Taylor Swift! Swift has planned 146 shows across five continents to pay homage to her 17 years of music. The Eras Tour is a testament to Taylor Swift’s adaptability, a key trait of effective leadership. Swift’s ability to reinvent herself across different eras of her music while still staying true to her core values is truly remarkable. From country crooner to pop princess, each era is distinct yet unmistakably Swift. This tour, with its diverse setlist, inclusive audience engagement, and seamless choreography, serves as a shining example of Swift’s ability to lead a team, adapt to changes, and stay authentic, all while creating an unforgettable experience for her fans. This tour has been fascinating to witness, as it’s not just a musical journey through her diverse portfolio; it is also a masterclass in leadership. As one of the most prominent figures in the music industry, Swift’s evolution as an artist and leader is on full display during the tour. In this blog, let’s take a look at this rock star’s recent accomplishments and see what she can teach us about efficient and effective leadership within law firms.

• Great leaders embrace diversity and inclusion. I am sure you have heard that good leadership embraces diversity and inclusion. (If you haven’t, you need to read more Vista blogs!) I think that statement is true and very important. Having a dynamic and inclusive team allows for enhanced creativity and innovation within a group of individuals. These types of teams lead to more dynamic problem-solving and can create a competitive edge for your firm in the marketplace. With each team member bringing different experiences and perspectives to the table, you are more likely to elevate your successes and consistently reach better outcomes than firms that have less diverse teams. During the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift displayed this idea of embracing diversity and promoting inclusion. Swift’s lyrics resonate with a wide range of listeners. With every album, she’s elevated her craft, and often, that elevation has been a result of her willingness and openness to see things from different perspectives and intentionally work to expand her own worldview. Swift’s music resonates with people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Within the 10 eras that she displays during the show, she is able to pull the heartstrings of those young, wild, free, in love, heartbroken, vengeful, and the many emotions in between. Her empathetic approach to storytelling is what draws people in as she acknowledges and validates diverse perspectives and shared experiences. This approach draws in a wide range of listeners, which ultimately has made this tour so successful. There’s evidence of clear growth and evolution in her library. That’s an impressive trait as an artist and a leader. Not only does Swift’s storytelling lyrics embrace diversity and inclusion, but her choice of tour openers fortifies her commitment to this concept as well. More than half of Swift’s tour openers are members of the LGBTQ+ community, making the Eras Tour the most LGBTQ-friendly in recent memory. Swift has been vocal about issues of gender equality and diversity in the music industry. She has used her platform to advocate for greater representation of women and minorities in the industry. That’s a leader who puts their beliefs into action. Her team for this tour is also one of the most diverse and inclusive the industry has seen.  The “Eras Tour” showcases a wide array of talents – from seasoned musicians to dynamic dancers – each bringing their unique flair and expertise. Swift has purposefully curated a team representing various backgrounds, experiences, and skills, fostering a rich tapestry of diversity. This approach to team composition not only reflects the real world but also contributes to the tour’s extraordinary success. It brings different insights, creative ideas, and problem-solving techniques to the forefront. Swift’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is a powerful lesson for leaders in any industry, illustrating the benefits of embracing different perspectives and experiences. Diversity and inclusion are critical topics, especially in the workplace. It is important not only from an ethical standpoint, but also for improving decision-making, attracting clients, retaining talent, addressing any bias, and fostering innovation. As leaders, we should strive to create diverse and inclusive environments where everyone feels respected and valued. By doing this, we unlock the full potential of all our team members. What leader doesn’t want their team to work at their full potential?

• Quality leaders treat their team like royalty. It has been reported that Taylor Swift gave over $55 million dollars in bonuses to the crew of her Eras Tour.  The crew includes her dancers, sound crew, catering staff, and truck drivers. They all received a check and a handwritten letter from Taylor. WOW! Talk about taking the time to show your team how much you value them. Now, don’t read that as good leadership gives out lots of money or large bonuses. That’s not the point. What I am saying is that good leadership treats their team well, recognizes hard work, and gives honor where honor is deserved. Any person knows that putting on over 100 concerts night after night takes hard work, so for Swift to recognize those who helped make her show possible is a leadership move that I can stand behind. Many law firms that we come across want to treat their teams well. It’s important to note that doesn’t always mean money. Yes, of course, a yearly performance (if the team member performed well) bonus is great, but what about small gestures throughout the year? Many team members would love to have sodas in the break room, casual dress one day a week, or a food truck Friday once a month. Little things done on a consistent basis add up and convey to your team how much they mean to you. Treating those who work hard to do something special can go a long way. Take a note from Swift’s book and recognize those who work hard day in and day out for their clients.

• Thoughtful leaders understand the power of connection. One of the most remarkable aspects of Swift’s tour is the strong connection she has with her audience. Through her lyrics, she has built a sense of unity and belonging with her fans, but she has also studied her audience and crafted experiences to deepen and solidify her relationship with them. She added more tour dates and has a movie coming out in October to cover the tour. She wants to allow as many opportunities as possible for her fans to experience her epic tour. The want is there, and she delivered. To date, Swift has sold out every show that tickets are available for purchase! That’s impressive! Another fun and impactful experience that Swift has provided for her audience is the trading of friendship bracelets. In her song, “You’re On Your Own, Kid” Swift sings about making friendship bracelets. At each and every show you can find thousands of fans connecting with others over the trading of bracelets they have made.  Taylor set the stage and her audience bought in and made new connections with people at each show. That’s such a cool way to create community amongst a group of people who have at least one thing in common. Through Swift’s actions, she teaches us the importance of fostering meaningful connections with others, valuing relationships, and emphasizing the importance of moments together. The power of connection is a huge way to display quality leadership within a law firm. As you know, for plaintiff law firms, many high-value cases are the result of word-of-mouth referrals. Making that connection with your clients or future clients is so powerful. Take the time to listen to their story and display empathy. This starts as soon as the phone rings and is fostered throughout the life of the case. Every touch to a client is an opportunity to make a connection with them that in turn could lead to another case and another opportunity for the law firm. Too, show up in your community. Support local events, fundraisers, or festivals. Integrate your firm into the DNA of your community. Your team will take notice as will a whole sea of potential clients.

Taylor Swift’s exemplary leadership approach transcends the music industry and offers valuable insights that can be applied across multiple sectors, including law firms. The importance of fostering diversity and inclusion, recognizing and rewarding the efforts of team members, and building strong, meaningful connections with clients are all significant aspects of successful leadership. Swift’s methods illustrate how prioritizing these elements can not only enhance the work environment but also contribute to achieving overarching business objectives. Therefore, business leaders would do well to consider implementing these strategies within their own organizations. Now, take a note from this set list and go rock out at your firm!