Contents
On the night of January 28–29, 1985, a sign hangs at the entrance to A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood. Anyone who walks in is asked to check their ego at the door. Inside, more than 45 of America’s best-known musicians are waiting, and a song has to be finished by morning. The night illustrates the Team Principle of the Catalyst: teams need people who get things moving – but stars alone don’t make a team.
One Has the Idea, Another Makes the Calls
Situation
The impetus comes from Harry Belafonte. In 1985 the singer and activist wants to do something for famine relief in Africa, following the example of the British Band Aid single. Manager Ken Kragen recruits the musicians and organizes the project. Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie write the song. Lyrics and melody are finished on January 21, 1985, the evening before the first recording session. Quincy Jones signs on as producer. On January 22 the instrumental tracks are recorded at Lion Share Recording Studio in Los Angeles.
Connection to the team principle
Here, no single person gets things moving. Belafonte has the idea, Kragen brings the people together, Jackson and Richie deliver the song, Jones shapes the recording. Each sets something different in motion. The principle deliberately speaks of “people,” in the plural. So don’t just ask who on your team has the idea – ask who makes the calls, too.
The Ego Stays Outside
Situation
More than 45 musicians come to the main session, among them Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. About 50 other would-be participants were turned away. Prince declines and later contributes a track of his own to the album. At the entrance hangs the sign asking everyone to leave their ego at the door.
Connection to the team principle
This many soloists in one room do not yet make a choir. Every one of them is used to standing out front. The rule at the entrance turns the second half of the principle into a working condition: tonight, what counts is not who you are but what the song needs. A catalyst sets rules like this early and visibly – before the first note is sung.
A Dispute Over One Line
Situation
During the night, a conflict breaks out. Stevie Wonder suggests singing a line in Swahili. An argument follows. Waylon Jennings leaves the room for a while but comes back. In the end they settle on a line in English. Jones, Jackson and Richie also change a passage of the lyrics so that the song does not sound self-congratulatory.
Connection to the team principle
Even with a good rule at the door, there is friction. What matters is that the dispute does not blow up the session: a decision is made, and the one who walked out comes back. The changed lyric shows the same attitude on a small scale. The stars are not supposed to sing their own praises. If you lead a team of strong individuals, you have to notice moments like these and correct them.
Eight in the Morning
Situation
In the early hours, two Ethiopian women arrive at the studio as guests of Stevie Wonder. Several artists are moved to tears. At 8 a.m. the recording is finished. The single is released on March 7, 1985. The first pressing of 800,000 copies sells out within three days; four weeks later the song is No. 1 on the US charts. Around 20 million copies are sold. In 1986 it wins four Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. By October 1986, according to the organization, $51.2 million has been raised, and more than $80 million in total since then. Of this, 90% was earmarked for Africa and 10% for hunger and homelessness in the US.
Connection to the team principle
The early-morning visit reminds everyone what they are there for. A shared purpose that is bigger than any individual puts stars in their place better than any instruction could. None of those involved could have achieved the result alone – not even the most famous among them.
Key takeaways
Key Lessons
- Distribute the roles that get things going: who has the idea, who wins people over, who delivers the content, who guides the work? Rarely is that one person.
- Set the ground rule before you start, briefly and visibly. One sentence at the door does more than a long preamble.
- Expect friction when many strong people work together. Decide quickly, and keep the door open for anyone who steps out for a moment.
- Bring the purpose into the room. Show your team who it is working for.
- Make use of tight deadlines. One night with a clear goal sometimes achieves more than weeks without one.
Summary
“We Are the World” came about because several people set things in motion: Harry Belafonte with the idea, Ken Kragen with the lineup, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie with the song, Quincy Jones with the recording. And it came about because more than 45 stars were willing, for one night, not to be stars. Together, these two things are the Team Principle of the Catalyst.
Sources