Coaching for Leaders23 Jun 2025

739: What Leaders Should Learn from Taylor Swift, with Kevin Evers

Kevin Evers: There’s Nothing Like This

Kevin Evers is a Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review. Passionate about shaping groundbreaking research and amplifying pioneering ideas, he has edited bestselling and award-winning books on high performance, creativity, innovation, digital disruption, marketing, and strategy. He is the author of There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift*.

You may love her music. You may not. You may think she’s a business genius…or perhaps no. But one thing is for sure, you cannot ignore Taylor Swift. In this conversation, Kevin and I explore Swift’s strategic approach and what every leader can learn from her success.

Key Points

Swift knows exactly her “job to be done” and delivers on it consistently.
Swift treats her fans’ emotions and experiences with respect, and they respond in kind.
Andy Grove famously said that only the paranoid survive. It’s one of many traits that helps Swift stay successful.
Swift’s transition to pop was promotion-focused rather than prevention-focused. She led the story of her transformation.
Not only is Swift clear on her vision, but she regularly reflects on the difficult steps to get there.
Swift is a remarkable example of antifragility. Not only does she withstand stress and shocks, but they make her stronger.

Resources Mentioned

There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift* by Kevin Evers

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

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