---
title: What can The Beatles teach us about management?
description: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr can teach anyone teamwork and creativity.
---

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# [What can The Beatles teach us about management?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/12232021-the-beatles)

 Written by [Trung T. Phan](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/author/trung-t-phan) | Dec 23, 2021 11:50:59 AM

“Get Back” is a newly released [documentary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles:_Get_Back) about The Beatles.

The project — created by “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson — pulls incredible footage from a 1969 recording session.

#### **The legendary group demonstrates…**

… notable management principles in their creative process, per [*The Economist*](https://www.economist.com/business/2021/12/18/the-beatles-and-the-art-of-teamwork).

First is group psychology: An MIT study shows that group performance is more correlated with sensitivity than intelligence.

Ringo Starr — the coolest mustached musician ever — is known as the laid-back guy. His chill attitude makes him seem “dispensable” but he “softens conflict and bridges divides” within the group.

#### **Two other principles:**

- **Inspiration is everywhere:** McKinsey surveyed 5k+ execs and found that learning from others is key to success. The Beatles regularly got creative ideas from other bands.
- **Deadlines are key:** A Google study found its best teams set goals that were “specific, challenging and attainable.” In the documentary, The Beatles have “to write an album’s worth of new songs in just a matter of days and perform them on a TV special.”

*The Economist* concedes its analysis has limits: not every team can have George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney.

The latter 2 are regarded as all-time geniuses. That’s one management lesson you can [*imagine*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOgFZfRVaww), but not replicate.

[View full post](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/12232021-the-beatles)

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