Leadership Lessons from the Greatest Night in Pop

In 1985, forty-six of the biggest names in music walked into a studio on Sunset Boulevard after the American Music Awards. No press, no leaks, just purpose.

We Are the World was not just a song, it was a project. A one-night mission to create something that would feed millions of people suffering from famine in Africa.

In this episode of People, Process, Progress, Kevin revisits the story he first explored in a March 2024 Hope is NOT a Plan episode, this time through the lens of leadership, culture, and the Seven Project Pillars.

Through the calm and clarity of Quincy Jones and the creativity of Lionel Richie, this team turned ego into empathy and chaos into collaboration.

You will learn how thought leadership, intentional communication, and structured coordination helped them pull off one of the greatest overnight projects in history, and how those same lessons apply to your projects and teams today.

Episode Quote:

“Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie did not lead through control, they led through trust, and they showed us that people will rise to the mission when the purpose is clear and the tone is right.”