Leadership Lessons from TIME Person of the Year: Taylor Swift

Today, we found out Taylor Swift has been named the 2023 TIME Person of the Year. There is no doubt Taylor has made a huge impact for her fans and the economy this past year – we can all learn a lot from her. One thing in particular we can learn from her, that is not often spoken about, is how she treats others – especially her employees.

Lynne Vincent, assistant professor of management at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, agrees with this statement. She writes:

“Great managers have the ability to enrich employees’ inner work lives- to create and sustain employees’ positive emotions about work, to keep employees motivated and engaged at work, and to support employees’ positive perceptions of the organization and the manager. Recognizing employee contributions and work is a significant part of that. Showing appreciation for their contributions can increase moral, motivation, and overall job satisfaction. We spend so much of our lives at work. We want that to mean something and for our efforts to be recognized and appreciated.

In this case, Swift recognized employees’ contributions not just with a significant financial bonus but also a handwritten message. That demonstrates respect and an authentic appreciation for her team. Recognizing employee contributions can make them want to continue to work for you. With so many employees languishing at work due to emotional exhaustion and a lack of engagement at work, great leadership actions like this make a difference when you are trying to attract and retain talented employees.”

If you’re interested in writing on this topic and speaking with Professor Vincent, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.