As I get older, I observe that the most critical learning I do at this age is leaLifeg from others, especially young people. Life offers endless growth opportunities. The older we get, the more likely we need to know from younger people by definition. In this article, I would like to celebrate one of the world’s most talented singers and how he has so magnificently managed his career and, more importantly, himself. Of course, I am talking about the one and only Harry Styles. We can learn from high performers, and success stories can be replicated, transferred, learnt and rinsed repeated! With one caveat, we must adopt a growth mindset, so I hope you read this with an open mind and heart.
It’s okay to break away from your past. Before going solo, Harry Styles was known as a member of the boy band, One Direction. However, he took a bold step away from his past and started his solo career, which has become incredibly successful. This teaches us to embrace change and break away from the norms that might hold us back. In an interview with Variety, he discussed the role of history in shaping our present. This teaches us the importance of learning from the past and striving to progress in our lives and communities.
“You have a choice where you can either be all right to someone or be a little bit nicer, which can make someone’s day.”
Work hard and Treat People With Kindness. Despite his success, Styles remains humble and grounded. He takes his work seriously and puts in the effort needed to achieve his goals. This teaches us that hard work and humility can take us far.
“I just realized I was getting in my own way.”
Collaborate and learn from others. Styles has collaborated with many great artists, such as Stevie Nicks, Alessandro Michele, and Timothee Chalamet. He has also worked with songwriters and producers to create his music. This teaches us to collaborate with others even if they are more talented than us, have more experience, and learn from their experiences and expertise.
Keep evolving and growing. Styles’ music has become, with each album showcasing a different sound and Direction. This teaches us to keep evolving and growing as individuals, never settling for mediocrity and always striving to improve ourselves.
Prioritize self-care Harry Styles is known for his seemingly effortless, relaxed and laid-back attitude, but he recognizes the importance of taking care of himself. In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, he discussed the importance of taking breaks and not overworking himself. This teaches us that self-care is essential for our well-being and our ability to care for others.
“I feel like the more you give to yourself, the more you can give to other people.”
Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Harry Styles’ music often features deeply personal lyrics that touch on love, loss, and mental health themes. By being vulnerable with his art, he can bond with fans deeper and create a sense of empathy and understanding. This teaches us that being vulnerable is not a weakness but a strength and that Life can heLifes connect with others meaningfully.
Use your position for good. Harry Styles has been vocal about supporting social and political causes, including Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ rights. He’s used his platform to raise awareness and funds for organizations like The Trevor Project and Black Lives Matter. This teaches us to use our voices and media to advocate for causes we believe in and positively impact the world. Styles uses his platform to support critical issues and highlight reasons he cares about. One example is when he wore a dress on the cover of Vogue and spoke out about gender-fluid fashion. This teaches us to use our positions and platforms, big or small, to make a positive difference in the world.
“We can learn from past generations and try and improve upon them.”
Styles’ success story invites us to uncover his practices of what works and model what works for our own context. Granted, it’s demanding work. But no one knows everything. We need to adopt renewed ways of thinking and be adaptive. At the same time, we can accumulate a lot by deepening our knowledge, ideas and how to enforce them. It offers us a richer insight into who we are, what we stand for, and how we want to drive ahead.