I was recently invited to facilitate a training on emotional intelligence (EQ) for a group of...
Taylor Swift’s career is filled with record-breaking tours, genre-shifting albums, and cultural influence on a scale few artists ever reach. But behind the headlines is something else: a blueprint for leadership. When I reflect on her journey, I see lessons that apply far beyond the music industry — lessons about humility, resilience, adaptability, and authenticity.
Here are the leadership traits I admire most in Taylor Swift, with lyrics that capture the spirit of each one.
1. Remember How You Got Here
"Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you." (New Year’s Day)
Taylor never forgets the people and experiences that shaped her path. From giving $55 million in bonuses to Eras Tour staff to making time to attend loved ones' weddings to weaving her childhood best friend Abigail into her songs, she’s clear that her success is a team effort.
Leadership takeaway: No leader succeeds alone. Remembering your roots, acknowledging your team, and honoring past support builds loyalty and trust.
2. Stay Accessible Without Losing Perspective
"But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time." (Look What You Made Me Do)
Taylor has mastered the art of being present without being overexposed. She creates authentic connection in moments that matter — pausing a concert to check on overheated fans, waving to young fans from her stadium suite window on a day off . Yet she draws a line: she doesn’t overshare every detail of her personal life, and she keeps parts of herself private and protected. She’s approachable, but she also learns quickly and sets firmer boundaries when needed.
Leadership takeaway: Leaders don’t need to be everyone’s best friend to build trust. The role isn’t to blur into peerhood, but to create an environment of openness, collaboration, and psychological safety while maintaining perspective. Being approachable means your team feels heard. Keeping perspective ensures you can still make clear, objective decisions — and grow stronger and smarter over time.
3. Rediscover the Joy in Your Work
"It’s like I’ve got this music in my mind saying it’s gonna be all right." (Shake It Off)
Taylor radiates passion for music, and it fuels her resilience. That childlike joy — seen in the way she dances, jokes, and celebrates each performance — is part of what keeps her work magnetic.
Leadership takeaway: Passion is contagious. When leaders reconnect with the joy that first drew them to their work, they energize teams and unlock engagement.
4. Dare to Reinvent
"I once was poison ivy, but now I’m your daisy." (Don’t Blame Me)
From country roots (Speak Now), to polished pop (1989), to raw storytelling (Folklore), Taylor never hesitates to evolve — even when her current formula is thriving. Reinvention has kept her relevant and creatively alive.
Leadership takeaway: Success tempts us to repeat what works. Great leaders take risks, experiment, and reinvent before change is forced on them.
5. Lead With Your True Self
"It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me." (Anti-Hero)
Taylor isn’t afraid to own her flaws and poke fun at herself. From Anti-Hero to Blank Space, she has built authenticity into her brand — showing that strength and vulnerability can coexist.
Leadership takeaway: Leaders who own their strengths and weaknesses earn credibility. Authenticity builds trust faster than polished façades.
6. Relentlessly Put in the Work
"This is the worthwhile fight." (State of Grace)
Taylor’s dedication shows in the way she treats her craft and her fans. After releasing several albums without the chance to tour, she came back with the most ambitious live experience of her career: The Eras Tour. A 3.5-hour performance spanning every stage of her artistry, it was designed as a comprehensive celebration and a reward for the people who supported her along the way.
The preparation was intentional and disciplined. She trained like an athlete, running on a treadmill while singing her full set list to build stamina, rehearsing choreography, and refining her movements with ballet-inspired grace. The end result was a performance that radiated joy and precision while making thousands of fans feel personally connected.
Leadership takeaway: Great leaders commit to effort that lasts. They prepare with consistency, deliver with excellence, and create experiences that make their people feel valued. Hard work done with intention inspires loyalty and sets the tone for what’s possible.
7. Never Be So Clever You Forget to Be Kind
"Never be so kind, you forget to be clever / Never be so clever, you forget to be kind." (marjorie)
Taylor’s career illustrates the balance of compassion and confidence. She shows kindness in the way she recognizes fans, honors her collaborators, and expresses gratitude to the people who support her work. At the same time, she has learned to set boundaries and protect herself from being defined or diminished by others. From reclaiming her masters to speaking up about industry practices, she demonstrates that kindness is most powerful when paired with clarity and courage.
The lyric from marjorie captures a principle that applies directly to leadership. Kindness without wisdom can leave you exposed, while cleverness without kindness can make you unapproachable. Leaders who hold these qualities together create trust, earn respect, and set a tone of integrity for their teams.
Leadership takeaway: Effective leadership isn’t about choosing between strength and compassion. It’s about bringing them together — leading with empathy while protecting your vision and values. The leaders who inspire lasting loyalty are the ones who know when to be gentle, when to be firm, and how to weave the two into a style that feels authentic.
Conclusion:
Taylor Swift shows us that leadership lessons can come from anywhere — even the world’s biggest stage. From gratitude to reinvention, from hard work to kindness, her example reminds us that great leadership is equal parts grit, grace, and growth.
