What Miley Cyrus Can Teach Us About Leadership

Yeah, I know. . .the title makes me laugh as well.

I admit I'm slightly hesitant to write this for fear of falling into the trap of the whole VMA Awards/Miley Cyrus/brou-ha-ha - because I'm capitulating to what I suspect was the end goal:   shock makes news.   I do feel the need, however, to point out we can learn from even the worst experiences. .  . flash floods, level five hurricanes, and yes, even from the Miley Cyrus . . .er, episode at the VMAs.

The comparatively low value of "shock."  If, as stated above, the entire purpose was to shock to make news it certainly accomplished its goal in spades.  It also alienated a large percentage of the population and even though the digital world lit up about Miley Cyrus - it was not positive.  In other words, it was a whole lot of short term flash and not much else.

I have seen both leaders and companies do the same thing    for the sake  of getting the attention of  their team or constituents. . .they seem to go off the rails in spectacular fashion.   While, like Miley, the end goal of getting attention may be met. . .so much alienation occurs in the process that one  has to ask if it was really worth it (it wasn't).

Change Your Brand, Don't Assassinate it.  Others have speculated that this was Miley's (or do I call her Ms. Cyrus?  Or what's-her-name with the fan finger?) attempt to change her personal brand from the "Disney girl" to that of a more mature performer. ("Mature?"  Hmmm. . .)  The challenge here is that there was little to no recognition of  the persona for whom she is widely recognized and liked -  consequently, there was little to no evolution that allows people to accept change.    In other words, she capitulated to the JCPenney theory of whiplash re-branding (which really has not worked out that well. . .for either party).  

People generally have a hard time coping with change.   Smart leaders, given the time and resources, evolve to it, thereby bringing a wider, more accepting audience to their enterprise.

If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Doing Well.   I get it - this was, after all, the VMAs and outrageous behavior is the norm.  Here's the thing, though, it wasn't done well. (Seriously, it appeared as though they ran through two and a half rehearsals;  the choreography wouldn't have made the cut for a junior high cheer squad.)     Certainly throughout the history of the VMAs, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry have all shocked us - but they've done it with mountains of creativity, energy and expertise that was sorely lacking on Sunday. 

Whether in marketing or leadership - if you're going to go "all out there" do it with a certain amount of energy and talent. . . so at least it seems intentional and becomes memorable.

Oh, and one last lesson to be learned. . .if ever you should be tempted. . .at an employee rally. . .a company picnic. . .God forbid, at a board meeting. . .

Don't twerk.

Ever.

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