John Legend is well, a legend. The following are just a small list of the singer, songwriter, actor and producer’s many accomplishments:
- 10-time Grammy Award winner
- Academy Award winner
- Tony Award winner
- Emmy Award winner
In a July 2nd article in the USA Today, he was asked what advice he would give someone wanting to follow in his footsteps. Legend replied, “It’s about developing your talent first, but also working hard, working with the right people, and working with people that help you grow and push you and make you better.”
When we read Legend’s comments we can break his formula for success into 6 parts:
- “It about developing your talent first” – Legend began taking piano lessons at 4 years old. As the grandson of a pastor whose mother and grandmother were both part of the music ministry, Legend grew up in church. He attended choir rehearsals and just soaked in everything about the culture. Legend carried this continual immersion into music throughout college directing a cappella group and then for the rest of his life.
- “working hard” – There is simply no success without hard work. Legend also said in the interview, “I think it’s important to still have persistence.” Hard work works. Success smells a lot like sweat. And you must display consistency by showing up day after day after day.
- “working with the right people” – Legend is a strong proponent of collaborating with talented people.
- “working with people that help you grow” – John Maxwell often teaches the only thing which ensures tomorrow is better than today is personal growth. I’m sure Legend would agree.
- working with people who “push you” – If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room. Smart leaders are always surrounding themselves with people who are bigger, stronger, and faster than they are.
- working with people who “make you better.” – You want to work with people who make you bigger, stronger, and faster as well.
What is one thing you learned from John which can help you be a greater success?
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