Career lessons you can learn from 80s music

Career lessons you can learn from 80s musicCareer lessons you can learn from 80s musicWhen you think of 80s music, your mind probably veers between poofed up hair bands and outrageously made-up, spandex-clad UK crooners - but there welches so much more going on beneath the surface.Dig a little deeper into the 1980s Top 10 lists and youll find politically tinged protest music by way of The Clash, U2,and Peter Gabriel female empowerment anthems disguised as pop ditties by the likes of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper (Google the meaning of She Bop), and even reinvented comeback kids like Tina Turner and Diana Ross.Since music adds the backdrop to fruchtwein of our lives, here are some career lessons and takeaways from what is often unfairly dismissed as a musical wasteland.In no particular orderYou can come back from the brinkA few weeks back I was fortunate enough to attend Billy Joels 100th performance at Madison Square Garden. The Piano Man and his band were in rare form and the 20,000+ hi gh-energy crowd was loving every moment. At one point, Joel introduced his special guest Bruce Springsteen. Joel explained that the two had once shared a record label and that both had such poor sales they were each in danger of losing their contracts. Need I fill you in on what actually happened? Lets just fast forward to nearly four decades later when Springsteen is sold out on Broadway and Joel just broke world records for the most performances by an artist at MSG.80s career lesson learned Almost failing isnt failing. Keep doing your best work consistently and better than the rest and its entirely possible youll end up the company hotshot.Be who you areIn the early 1980s, Boy George and Culture Club regularly topped the charts. They were known as much for their music, as for lead singer Georges artfully applied makeup and somewhat outlandish hair and costumes. In the years in-between, George faded in and out of the limelight with stints on Broadway, and the requisite pop star dru g addiction, scandals, and run-ins with the law. But he hasnt faded away. If you scroll through your social media stream these days, youll likely find George sending his fans birthday love, or posting images about his work on The Voice in the UK and Australia. The makeup and big hats are still around, but like George, theyve evolved and become part of his public persona.80s career lesson learned If its strong enough, your personal brand can stand the test of time. Keep doing both the things that set you apart and make you a jupe star in the office. And dont worry if some of what youre known for might seem a bit outrageous to others. Depending on your workplace, what was once seen as being out there might be totally acceptable and help you stand out.Youre in controlIn the 1980s, youd have been forgiven for thinking of Janet Jackson as simply being the adorable youngest Jackson sibling, almost invisible in the shadow of older brother Michael and the rest of the Jackson Five. But after striking out on her own, Jackson ultimately did something previously unheard of. She shed her good girl image and collaborated with powerhouse producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and blew people away with her new sound that incorporated RB, funk, and the thrumming dance beats she became best known for. All this while dancing in perfect formation back when Beyonc was still a toddler. By the time the 1990s rolled around, Jackson was one of the highest paid performers in the industry.80s career lesson learned Youre more than your family connections. A lot of us are born with familiar last names that connect us to various companies or institutions. A lot of us arent. The thing is though, that having the right name or connection doesnt mean much if you lack the talent or determination to build a career instead of simply banking on your last name.Break the rulesPunk, rap, hip-hop and electronic music all made their mainstream debuts in the 1980s. Depending on what you were listening to, you might have been hearing social statements, class rage or fashion statements carefully woven between the notes.80s career lesson learned Its okay not to play the game by the same rules all the time as long as you keep providing a payoff. If you intend to do things differently than your predecessors, explain why and then do a better job.And since I could go on about 80s music for days, Ill stop now. Heres a random 80s playlist, inspired by this piece, to listen to while you work