Power in Peer Groups

‘The Greatest Night in Pop’ on Netflix is a fascinating documentary about 40 superstar music artists of the 1980s who collaborated to create the iconic song, “We are the world” which was as important to the history of pop music as it was for the cause for which it was written - to bring attention to the famine in Africa.?

It also offers tremendous lessons on managing power dynamics within a group of peers.

Each of the megastar musicians who participated in the project was at the peak of their musical careers when they created this song. (They were also in vigorous competition with each other to land the No. 1 single on the billboard music charts individually. If the news media of their day is to be believed, some of them did not even want to be in the same venue let alone sing together.)

Yet, the lure of being part of something great brought them to this recording.

A natural question as groups come together to work is – Am I ‘up’ or ‘down’ in relation to you? Quincy Jones, the producer, called that dynamic out by putting out a sign at the entrance that said, “Check your egos here before you enter”.

Bob Geldof, an activist musician, who had just returned from his visit to Africa was invited to set the context for this gathering. It was an invitation to tap into what Julie Diamond, author of?Power – A User’s Guide, refers to as ‘the noble goal of their role’, a calling that was larger than their own egos. It was a powerful strategy to check power inflation. Additionally, these superstars were not allowed to bring their assistants and entourages to the event. This encouraged them to interact with one another as the musicians they were without the trappings.?

Research on power supports the idea that power is derived from the value you bring to a context. In a room full of artists who have delivered Top of the Chart singles multiple times, being a celebrated artist offers you no leverage.?

So how do you find your berth in this gathering? By ‘powering up’ or ‘powering down’ appropriately.?

Some of the artistes interviewed talked of the pressure of stepping up to find their own voice as they sang in harmony with the other music greats.

Quincy Jones powered up to step into the role of the leader, offered clear direction, and drew boundaries on unhelpful group behaviour. It helped to make a safe space for the artistes, enabling them to relax and focus on the task. A couple of attempts by artistes to ‘power up’ inappropriately was managed by the group respectfully and the group went back to focusing on the task.

What was even more beautiful to watch was when the artistes powered down – one of them requested for the autograph of one her contemporaries and soon everyone in the room was asking every other person in the group for their autographs. There is a tender moment when Bob Dylan seeks out the support of Stevie Wonder to rehearse before the recording. And Stevie Wonder supports him by ‘ventriloquising’ Dylan – singing the way Dylan would and showing him the way as they rehearse together.?

They powered down by singing the songs of fellow musicians present in the group and honoring them – the group spontaneously burst into singing Jamaica Farewell, to honour Harry Belafonte who was part of the group. Lionel Richie powered down to iron out the wrinkles for every group that felt challenged. This was after he had spent the evening being the host at the American Music Awards. Michael Jackson powered down by working at the music hours before the other musicians arrived.

The result? A musical masterpiece that made history and raised over $80 million (equivalent to approximately $160 in 2024) for humanitarian causes in Africa and continues to raise money to this day.

A great lesson was learnt?–?Power that is used to serve the interests of the group is the power that is valued and leaves a lasting impact!

Janaki Venkat and Mahesh C S , the founders of Anahat, will offer a session on?Breaking Out of the Power Paradox?at the ICF Pune Charter Chapter 's India Coaching Conference in Pune.?

Date/Time: February 16th | 3:20pm to 4pm.

Venue:?Hotel Sheraton Grand, Pune?

For more information about our session: Click here

To attend the ICF India coaching conference: Register here.

We look forward to meeting you there!

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