Choose Yourself Taylor Swift Did
Most people wait to be chosen. Taylor Swift chose a “choose yourself” approach.
At 13, she walked into Nashville writing sessions and called a suggested lyric “trite.” The professional songwriter she challenged was almost four times her age.
She showed up ready to work, with 15 to 20 fully formed song ideas.
Choose Yourself:
#1. Choose your voice.
She led with vision. One co-writer said, “She knew exactly who she was, exactly what she wanted to say.”
Swift chose something most country artists don’t: she only sings what she writes.
The clearest voice cuts through the noise.
#2. Live purposefully.
She rejected what was safe. When RCA offered a wait-and-see development deal, she walked away. “I didn’t want to be somewhere they were sure they kind of wanted me.”
Security that dilutes purpose isn’t worth the cost.
Don’t wander.
#3. Seek opportunity.
She saw what others missed. Nashville said teens didn’t listen to country. Swift said, “I’m a teenager and I love country music. There have to be more kids like me.”
If you like it, someone else probably will too. Underserved people hold untapped potential.
#4. Build momentum.
While others waited for radio play, she rallied fans on MySpace. They tagged stations, created buzz, and brought data. “We have you surrounded, and you don’t even know it,” her producer told stations.
You choose yourself when you earn attention.
#5. Disrupt thoughtfully.
Innovation that respects the past builds bridges to the future.
Her first single, Tim McGraw, nodded to tradition while introducing a teen voice. It wasn’t radical—just different enough.
Anyone can make a stink. Make something better.
3 Ways to Bring Your Best Self
Bottom line:
Be bold. Be clear. Go first.
There’s no one like Taylor Swift. There is someone like you.
Bonus thought: Taylor Swift knew she needed lots of help.
How can leaders adopt a “choose yourself” approach without being self-centered?
Kevin Evers, a senior editor at Harvard Business Review, sent me a copy of his new book There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift. I’m not a Swiftie. I wasn’t going to open the book, but I did. I was hooked by page four.
Great message.
There is no one exactly like you!
1. Believe in yourself–determine your core beliefs and values.
2. Perfect your message–know exactly what you want to say.
Know what you want to say. So powerful and often neglected. We feel impulses but often fail to clarify the message. I’ll add, know what you want and understand you most impactful contribution.