If you haven’t seen the new biopic Rocketman that chronicles the life, love, and musicianship of Sir Elton John, it’s proving itself to be one heck of a box office hit. Powerful cinematography, extraordinary music, and packed with jaw-dropping performances.
In a recent keynote, one of cmi speaker management’s incredibly talented speakers, Jason Hewlett delivered an inspired message about the power of collaboration by spotlighting the historic duo of Reginald Dwight (who would later become Elton John) and his decades-long lyricist and business partner Bernie Taupin.
Jason shares the value of turning to the people around you, your colleagues and coworkers, and even what he refers to as “lost members” (those who are no longer associated with you) to help clearly and accurately define what your signature moves are in business.
Collaboration didn’t happen organically for the two rock legends. In a May Time Magazine article, Taupin shares his review of the new movie, and Time’s columnist Andrew Chow sheds light on what was then an unlikely match between singer and songwriter.
“In 1967, they both answered the same advertisement from Liberty Records seeking songwriters. John couldn’t write lyrics; Taupin couldn’t write melodies. But when John was handed an envelope of Taupin’s poems, he was moved by their lyricism and began cutting demos to them.”
“When we started it out it was really just me and him,” Taupin said. “It was very much a sort of stream-of-consciousness,” Taupin said of his own lyrical style. “I would write whatever I felt, and he would jerry-rig it into a song.”
Thank goodness fate brought that illustrious pair together. The world is a better place for the collaboration they shared and the music they’ve made.
Around here, we’re big on collaboration as well. Our amazing team of professionals connect and create together on a daily basis to make what some days feels like magic happen for our talented team of keynote speakers.
Jason Hewlett, we love your extraordinary showmanship, and the way you help audiences all over the globe discover what it means to become a Legendary Leader. As you so profoundly share, leadership is about promises made and promises kept. Keep it up. The world needs more of that!