The Key Leadership Lesson In Hamilton

Many of us have now seen the hit broadway musical Hamilton, where America's first leaders battle and rap as they craft a new nation while it breaks away from England.

I had listened to the original broadway cast album for perhaps two years, before ever seeing the show, and only had the music to guide me as to what was going on.

It is now streaming on Disney+, and the first time I watched it I was struck by how young and boisterous the main cast were portrayed as.

And a leadership lesson I had not spotted emerged.

Early on a group of young friends are drinking in a bar. Marquis de Lafayette, Hercules Mulligan, and John Laurens. They brag about how much they have drunk, how they will kill redcoats, woo women, and how generally great they all are.

Their friend Aaron Burr walks in, but he is not one of them. He is separate somehow. He keeps his cards close to his chest, and advises to speak less and smile more. He doesn't drink with them, brag, or even state what he stands for.

When Alexander Hamilton comments they ask, “Who is this?”.

Hamilton replies with a song about the pain of his childhood, how hungry he is, and brags about not throwing away his shot, his power of speech, and how he will lay down his life if it sets them free.

He shows vulnerability, passion, vision, and competence.

In return the original trio join in the song and share their lives, their dreams, and their mission. In a bar, drinking and singing about pain and how they will change the world.

This is an example of how we fall in love. How many of us stayed up late with that future significant other, drinking wine, or JD and cokes, until sunrise. Sharing our view of the world, our hopes and our fears?

Leadership is love, compassion, and empathy.

You cannot get your followers to fall in love with you, to join you on your quest, unless you share your vision, your hopes, and allow yourself to be vulnerable.

In the bar that night a friendship is formed.

But not with Burr. He tells them to be quiet, in case they get shot.

Don't be like Burr.