Five Leadership Lessons from A Star is Born
Bradley Cooper's experience making A Star is Born is brimming with lessons for leaders.
In the past week, critics and moviegoers alike have been impressed with Bradley Cooper’sdirectorial debut, A Star is Born. This emotional and captivating remake has silenced the naysayers who questioned if Lady Gaga could act, and if Cooper could sing and direct.
Although I doubt it was the director’s intention, in addition to emotional moments and memorable musical scenes, Cooper’s experience making the film delivers valuable leadership lessons. Here are the top five:
1. Take risks
A Star is Born has been done three times before (four, if you count 1932’s ‘What Price Hollywood?’). This isn’t a new story – but Bradley Cooper (who also co-wrote the script) took a huge risk to make it feel like something new. He brings his lead characters into the modern age, and creates not only a love story, but also a commentary about the conflict between art and commerce.
Although he was encouraged to get his feet wet directing a smaller project, Cooper took risks and went big. He went really big. He had to put in a lot of work to convince audiences he was a musician. His co-star Lady Gaga had done some acting, but certainly not on this scale. This film was a huge risk for both of them – but one that is paying off with rave reviews, and will certainly bring a handful of Oscar nominations, and likely a few statuettes next March.
Leaders constantly have to take risks. They may not always succeed, but the best leaders are brave enough to take calculated risks, and are quick to learn from their mistakes.
“Time is the biggest currency. I want to surround myself with people who are better than me so I can learn – so I can grow.” Bradley Cooper
2. Surround yourself with talented people
Is the true star of this movie Lady Gaga or Bradley Cooper? You could argue either way (as many critics have). But there’s no denying that Bradley Cooper has surrounded himself with talent in this film, including on-camera via Lady Gaga, Sam Elliot, and musician Lukas Nelson (and his band, Promise of the Real).
He also surrounded himself with talent behind-the-scenes, including dialect coach Tom Monich (who helped Cooper lower his speaking voice by an octave) and Oscar-nominated cinematographer Matthew Libatique. The result is a unique cinematic experience that makes the audience feel like we’re on stage with an actual rock star.
By hiring Gaga, Cooper took a chance that her performance might overshadow his. But he did it anyway, because it was best for the film. That’s a leader.
3. Show vulnerability
Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga were already accomplished in their respective fields – they could have easily stayed in their comfort zones. Making this film required them to be vulnerable and open themselves up to a sea of skepticism and criticism. They are able to channel this vulnerability they must have felt off-screen into their performance on-screen.
The vulnerability Cooper shows in his portrayal of alcoholic rock star Jackson Maine will break your heart. There are a few pivotal scenes (that I won’t spoil here) but when you watch this film, you see two stars showing significant vulnerability.
Vulnerability builds trust – and the best leaders are willing to show their vulnerability. Leaders who are open and honest about their shortcomings, and the lessons they’ve learned from failure, are leaders people respect – and want to follow.
4. Believe in yourself
Despite having three Oscar nominations under his belt – and a wide variety of roles to show his range – Bradley Cooper had to fight for the opportunity to direct. According to a profile in The New York Times, he admitted some people viewed him as an actor and ‘nothing else’.
He was told what roles he could play and what he was capable of. But he believed in himself – and managed to convince the suits at Warner to hand the reins (and $38 million) to a first-time director. He believed he could do it – that he could lead – and he was right.
Leaders will always face obstacles – and sometimes feel alone. But a strong leader knows what they have to offer and the value they bring. Believe in yourself – and others will believe in you, too.
5. Make your mark
There’s a line in the movie that ‘Music is essentially 12 notes.’ It’s the same story told over and over. We have the same notes to work with, but the way leaders hear them and play them is what makes the difference. This film has been done before, and it will surely be done again. But Bradley Cooper’s version is unique – he has made his mark.
Leadership is the same. Leaders have targets, objectives, and relationships to manage. They need to convince people, encourage them, and inspire them. Companies have standard leadership positions to fill, but it’s what the individuals do in those roles – how they play their 12 notes – that will make their mark.
So leaders, take note. Follow Bradley Cooper’s lead – take risks, surround yourself with talent, show your vulnerability, and believe in yourself.
Then go make your mark.
(And if you can get a killer theme song (like the Cooper/Gaga duet ‘Shallow’), that helps, too.)
*I also liked that the film included actors Greg Grunburg and Ron Rifkin, two of Cooper’s co-stars from his days on TV’s Alias. It shows he hasn’t forgotten his friends.
Do you know employees in creative cultures are happier and more productive? My new Ignite Your Creativity workshop is designed to help teams strengthen their creativity – and build the creative culture. Drop me a line at beth@listenengage.com and let’s chat about how I can help you use your creativity to strengthen your team culture, solve problems, and innovate.