Why You Shouldn’t Aspire to Be a 'Rockstar' in Business

Lately, I’ve seen an influx of posters, adverts, and social media campaigns encouraging people to become a "Rockstar" in their profession. Whether "Be a Rockstar of HR" or "Run Your Business like a Rockstar," this trendy label seems enticing at first glance. But here are my thoughts on why aiming to be a "rockstar" in business may not be the best approach and why you might want to aim for something else entirely.

Rockstars Are Individual Performers, Business Is a Team Sport

Rockstars are known for their solo performances. They stand in the spotlight, working alone to deliver a show-stopping moment. But business success isn’t about one person shining above the rest, it’s about how well you work as a team. Great leadership, collaboration, and lifting others up are what drive sustainable success. If your career focus is solely on personal stardom, you may be missing the bigger picture of shared growth and collective achievement.

Short-Term Fame vs. Long-Term Success

Rockstars are often associated with sudden bursts of fame. Brief, high-energy performances followed by periods of burnout or decline. In business, it’s not about brief moments of glory but about long-term, consistent growth. You don’t want to fizzle out after a short, shining moment. Instead, think about building something lasting, through continuous effort and steady wins.

Ego vs. Humility

Rockstars thrive on their larger-than-life personas, often driven by ego. Confidence is important in business, but unchecked ego can alienate teams and stakeholders. Great leaders lead with humility, recognise others’ contributions, and stay grounded in their mission. Business success comes from lifting the people around you up, not by placing yourself on a pedestal.

The Rockstar Culture Can Breed Toxicity

The rockstar lifestyle is often romanticised, but it can glorify negative behaviours, arrogance, recklessness, and toxicity. In business, the most successful leaders are those who create positive, inclusive, and empowering environments. Rather than idolising the rockstar mentality, aim to be someone who fosters integrity, respect, and a culture of collaboration.

Rockstars Ignore Development, Leaders Embrace It

The "rockstar" label implies that you’ve already "made it." But real business success comes from continuous learning and development. In reality, no one ever stops growing, and the best professionals are always learning. The idea of being a rockstar can suggest a stagnation of growth when, in fact, the best leaders seek feedback, embrace change, and are always looking for ways to improve.

Why Not Aim to Be a Marathon Runner or Mountain Climber Instead?

Rather than aspiring to be a rockstar, why not see yourself as a marathon runner or a mountain climber in business? These things require patience, persistence, and endurance. You need to work hard, train hard, take small wins, and embrace failures as learning opportunities. Each step is part of a long-term journey toward success. There’s no shortcut to the summit of a mountain, and no cheat code to completing a marathon, you must keep pushing, even when the going gets tough.

Think about it, how many of us are truly inspired by rockstars? We might enjoy their music or admire their talent, but it's the stories of marathon runners, mountain climbers, and everyday leaders who consistently show up, grow, and overcome challenges that leave a lasting impact. These are the people who inspire me to keep going, even when it feels like I'm moving slowly.

What Should You Aspire to Instead?

Aim to be a leader who empowers others, a strategist who drives sustainable success, and a mentor who helps others grow. Aspire to the endurance and discipline of a marathon runner, the determination of a mountain climber, and the wisdom of a lifelong learner.

Don’t get me wrong, I love music and rockstars. Their creativity, energy, and passion are undeniable. But in business, the rockstar mentality falls short. Success demands focus, discipline, and long-term commitment, not just bursts of brilliance.

Enjoy the music, dance like no one is watching, and sing like you mean it; but when it’s time to work, the business world doesn’t need more rockstars. It needs more leaders who are committed to long-term success, collaborative growth, and making a meaningful, lasting impact.