Marley Leadership

Friends of mine are gathering recruits for a night out to watch One Love. The new movie about (a part of the life of) Bob Marley. The reggae superstar. And with a catalogue so transcending pop in general, there can hardly be a soul for whom at least one of his tracks is not a favourite.

In the film's promo pr, key figure Chris Blackwell (record label impresario who gave him his break) is prominent. One such piece features this;

A memory that has stuck with him is that Marley was always the first on his own tour bus. “When the Wailers were on the road, Bob was always the first person in that vehicle, sitting at the front. That’s the opposite to the normal situation, where the leader keeps everybody waiting for ages. But that wasn’t Bob at all. He was just an exceptional human being.”

Music to my ears.

We all recognise the power play. Bosses that always rock up deliberately late. It's pathetic. It's toxic.

This malaise I've berated in particular lately over video call tardiness.

Although it is sadly long standing with in-person meeting and pre-arranged phone slot starting times slipping.

With video, protocols are in place to try mitigate such waiting around. But when it's the 'top' person, they don't really work. And with such ignorants, lateness is a pattern. Of their behaviour. Of their control.

Everyone is held up once in a while. No-one can ever be prompt, let alone early, for every appointment ever. But overall intent shines through.

Being on that bus is important. If not seemingly at that time for you (...careful), then it is for other people. You might well one day come to rely on them too. And boarding the bus so everybody else is not waiting for ages is perhaps even more important.

Don't be that entitled, dominant, game player. That 'normal situation'. That bad leader.

Be more Bob.