The Beatles ‘Get Back’ film: a lesson in leadership

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Being a life-long Beatles fan, I have always wanted to see the original Let It Be film. But apart from a brief release on home video in the 80s, it has not been available. So when Peter Jackson announced he would be making a new film based on the original material that was shot with the band during the first month of 1969, I was very excited.

A few weeks ago, the documentary was released on Disney+. Three parts of 2,5 hours fly-on-the-wall footage shot in January 1969, showing us exactly how the songs that made it onto the Let It Be and Abbey Road albums came to life. It is the most boring, but at the same time the most exciting thing I have seen in a long time. Being in the room when songs like ‘Get Back’, ‘Long and Winding Road’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ are taking shape is simply a goose-bump inducing experience.

Unexpectedly, the film provides a lot of material that any leader will recognise. A group of incredibly talented people together in a room does not make a team and results are not a given. We see the biggest band in the world enter the desolate studio in Twickenham. They are surrounded by the best gear money can buy, but the first days are a disaster. It makes for some interesting, but sometimes very painful, watching.

Here are some of the recognisable team patterns that I observed:?

The creative micro-manager

McCartney clearly is on a creative roll. Songs seems to be flowing out of him and he’s eager to get the band to learn them. He’s taking charge and leading the way with distinct ideas on what needs to be done to get them onto tape. Even though his micro-management is understandable, it also completely fails to resonate with the rest of the band. Throughout the film we see how he struggles with wanting to get things done the way he wants them to be done, but not getting traction with the band. The biggest talent may not always be the best leader.?

The burnt-out talent

John seems to be in a different place most of the time. His talent shines through in the moments when it’s tapped into, but by showing up late most days and having his newly found love Yoko stuck to his side 24/7, he’s not beaming with enthusiasm for the project. In fact, he gives the impression that he’d rather be somewhere else. He’s just distracted. But when his fire is lit, he delivers in spades.

The unheard force of nature

Team members who aren’t heard will get frustrated to the point of quitting. And it’s no surprise that that’s exactly what happens with George Harrison. He’s being told what to play and how to play it. His ideas are talked over or almost instantly dismissed by McCartney.

He becomes more and more quiet to the point where seemingly out of the blue he announces “I think I’ll be leaving the Beatles now”. He was talked into rejoining a week later, finished the sessions but didn’t seem to be all the interested anymore.

There is a scene in the film where he talks about doing a solo album and he appears to have made up his mind. Unsurprisingly, he released his critically acclaimed triple album “All things must pass” only a year and a half after the Get Back sessions, including many of the songs that were dismissed for the Beatles.

The glue

Ringo provides some of the much-needed glue that holds any team together. Not being particularly outspoken, he’s dependable, delivers and keeps things moving. His humour helps in some of the stickier moments. Every team needs a Ringo, but maybe not the type that keeps napping in the background.

The outsider

At an early stage during the recordings, someone mentions they could use an additional piano player in order not to lose a bassist or a lead guitar. After a bit of back and forth on names, they seem to agree on the idea. They ask Billy Preston into the session and his presence immediately turns things around. Beaming smiles are seen across the room and things start to flow again. It’s amazing to see how his outside influence has this incredible impact on the creative process.

The goal makes for a grand finale

Not until a couple of hours before the event do they decide to perform on the rooftop. The short gig shows a band that is working as a team and having fun, but a team that is also dead serious about the task at hand. It’s amazing that a couple of these recordings made it onto the Let It Be record, showing that when a good team flows, it flows.

Get Back is a fascinating film, not just for Beatles fans. Watch it if you can. As a music fan, as a leader or both. I’m sure you’ll get something out of it.

Have you seen it? What did you learn? Leave a comment below!