Bruce Springsteen gave an amazing performance last night at the Super Bowl. The event planners had been trying to book him for years. He repeatedly turned them down.
When asked why he agreed this year he said that he had a new album to promote.
Two things come to mind as I listened to this interview.
- Never give up- be persistent The Super Bowl planners continued to ask him despite the years of rejection. They recognized that a no is a no for now, not always forever.
- What is in it for me? We must focus on what is in it for the other person we are approaching. What will they get and why might they want to do something? The reasons we may want them to do it may not be theirs. Find out what the other may gain and focus on that. Springsteen clearly stated that this was a marketing opportunity.
These two concepts are basic for marketing and leadership success. Strong leaders focus on them to create collaboration and buy in. The Boss has been a leader in the music industry for decades. His background and rise to success is evidence of his persistence (and talent). His ability to offer an experience to the audience shows that he knows how to use the second. He clearly did that in his Super Bowl appearance!