Friday Forward - One Night (#452)

Leadership Lessons from Quincy Jones and "We Are The World"

A few weeks ago, I watched Netflix’s The Greatest Night in Pop, a fascinating documentary about the making of the iconic song "We Are The World" in 1985.

For those who might not remember, this song assembled over 40 of the biggest names in music—including Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Cindy Lauper and Stevie Wonder—to raise money for African famine relief. For anyone under 35, this would be equivalent to a song featuring Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Ed Sheeran and Drake.

The legendary music producer Quincy Jones was tasked with leading this group of superstars, who recorded the song in just one night. Jones’ achievement of getting music’s biggest stars to collaborate and nail the song in a single recording session was nothing short of legendary—and illustrated the power of great leadership.

Jones demonstrates a few specific leadership qualities in the documentary that stood out to me.

Decisiveness

Jones was decisive in determining how all the musicians would fit together in the song. Managing the many different personalities and artistic visions of the legendary performers involved could have quickly led to chaos—as the documentary showed, the studio session nearly went off the rails several times.

However, Jones held firm on his vision, especially pertaining to which singers sang each part of the song and who performed the solos.  All the while, he made it clear that he was in control. Firm decisions, made with confidence and clarity, are often necessary to push a group forward in a dynamic situation, especially when everyone has their own ideas and agendas.

Emotional Intelligence

While Jones directed the session with a firm hand, he also knew when to step in and offer support to the musicians. This was exemplified by Jones’ work with Bob Dylan during recording.

Though Dylan is one of history’s greatest songwriters, he appeared visibly uncomfortable in the studio, forced to sing a pre-written line that didn’t naturally fit his vocal delivery. Quincy recognized Dylan’s unease and took time to help Dylan find a way to sing his part in a more authentic, natural manner.

Leadership isn’t always about making difficult decisions and asserting authority; it’s also about recognizing when someone needs support and providing the guidance that helps them reach their potential.

Effective Communication

Jones was also a master communicator, which he demonstrated well before the night of recording. Days before the session, Jones sent detailed instructions to each of the dozens of artists, outlining everything from arrival times to wardrobe. In the studio, he brought clarity and direction when it was needed most and consistently kept the group motivated, aligned and focused.

Clear communication is most critical when the stakes are high and the situation is complex. Jones ensured that everyone knew their role, he stepped in to offer guidance when needed, and he also pulled back when appropriate, giving the stars some freedom to be themselves and offer suggestions.

Selflessness

Perhaps the most important leadership lesson from the documentary was the rule Jones famously posted on the door as everyone entered: “Check your egos at the door.” That statement set the tone for the entire session.

In a room full of legendary artists used to being the center of attention, Jones made it clear to everyone that they could only get their desired outcome if everyone was a team player. Every musician was there to serve the song and the greater mission, not to boost their own fame or showcase their individual talent. The ability to get a group of people to put the team’s needs before their own is a hallmark of great leadership, and it requires vision, strength and trust.

The culmination of Jones’ leadership was a piece of music that transcended individual talent, became a #1 hit global phenomenon and raised over $80 million for humanitarian aid. It’s also a powerful reminder that, in moments of uncertainty or pressure, strong leadership is about more than just making decisions. It’s also about knowing when to be firm, when to offer support, and how to communicate a shared vision. Above all, it’s about ensuring that the work remains bigger than any one person.

As we approach our own leadership challenges—whether at work, in our communities, or in our personal lives—there’s a lot we can learn from Jones and that magical one night in the recording studio.

The documentary is definitely worth a watch; it pays homage to a feat that may never be repeated.

Quote of The Week

"You don’t go through something like ‘We Are The World’ every day—it was a powerful experience, making that record, and it proved what we can accomplish when we all work together.” - Quincy Jones

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