Rocking the Stage: Solo Artist or Band Member? Navigating Belonging in the Corporate World

If you were to step onto the stage, would you embrace the spotlight as a solo artist or thrive in the camaraderie of a band? Is it the harmony of collaboration or the spark of independence that truly resonates with you?  

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Whether crafting a melody or tackling a project, success stems from combining the focus of personal expression with the harmony of teamwork. Embracing these dual dynamics—solo artistry and collaboration—not only sparks creativity but also cultivates resilience and purpose. 

The most successful professionals and creatives understand the value of balancing autonomy with collaboration. Solo artists often shine through their individuality, yet their craft is elevated by collaborating on specific projects or leaning on a trusted network of peers. Similarly, individual contributors in the corporate world can amplify their impact by tapping into the diverse talents and perspectives within their teams.  

With a Little Help from My Friends

In the corporate realm, a solo artist embodies the spirit of an individual contributor, while a band reflects the synergy of teamwork. Each path offers unique experiences of belonging. While it’s possible to operate as an individual contributor within a team, the true conversation here dives deeper—into the essence of camaraderie.  

Success as a solo artist or individual contributor is often rooted in the ability to blend independent expertise with strategic collaboration. Inspiring figures demonstrate how personal vision can flourish through teamwork.  

Consider Taylor Swift, renowned for her independent songwriting and creative control. Her process begins in solitude but thrives through collaboration with producers, instrumentalists, and directors—yielding global resonance.  

Similarly, in the corporate world, figures like Richard Branson showcase the power of independence paired with collaboration. Branson’s early ventures were fueled by personal drive, but his success grew from assembling world-class teams to execute ambitious ideas—proving the transformative impact of shared expertise.  

These stories underline a powerful truth: balancing individuality with collaboration is essential for lasting success.  

Don’t Stop Believin’

In my journey (pun intended), there have been times when, despite being part of a team, I felt like a solo artist—whether it was as the only woman in the room or the new “band member” joining an established group. These moments taught me that while belonging is invaluable, it can also be shaped by circumstances or titles.  

True belonging, however, is earned—through contributions, collaboration, and courage. Whether working solo or as part of a team, finding value in each dynamic is crucial. Collaboration isn't a dilution of individuality; it's an opportunity to amplify your impact.  

We Are the World

The ‘We Are the World’ documentary (highly recommend!) beautifully illustrates the power of collaboration. Talented individuals brought their unique strengths to the table, transforming the creative process into a collective masterpiece. Through compromise, communication, and shared vision, they achieved outcomes far beyond what any solo effort could accomplish.  

In the corporate world, teamwork mirrors this dynamic—leveraging the diverse strengths of team members to drive innovation, generate ideas, and meet shared objectives. Like music, navigating interpersonal dynamics and decision-making often requires compromise and diplomacy, enabling teams—bands—to thrive.  

With or Without You

Whether you perform solo or as part of a band, success lies in balancing personal expression with collaborative synergy. True achievement is built on both individual drive and the power of working together.  

By embracing these dual forces, professionals and creatives alike can chart a path that’s both fulfilling and impactful—one enriched by confidence, connection, and the unique contributions of every role they play.  

Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World

Transform Challenges to Opportunities

Struggle is connective, so is redemption.

As we begin this new year, I feel deeply grateful, yet I’m also acutely aware of those who are struggling—many of whom we might never know are facing hardships because let’s face it, we don’t often post about our losses.

Negative self-talk is natural, but overcoming it? That’s the real challenge.

Whether in youth sports or life, we’ve all spent countless hours practicing, working, and pushing for our moment. Those early lessons from the field, gym, or, in my case, the pool— about teamwork, perseverance, and overcoming adversity— shape us long after we leave the sport.

As we age, there’s rarely a coach to push us harder or remind us to keep moving forward. That voice has to become our own. We must quiet negative self-talk and replace it with confidence that our next step is within reach. Your resilience is the key to unlocking what comes next.

You are your agent— rise or be stagnant.

Most of us don’t have an agent pushing for our next opportunity, yet every day, we must step into that role ourselves. 

How many top professional athletes are traded or let go to make room for the next rising star? When an athlete is released, benched, or steps back from the Olympics to focus on their mental health, the world takes notice. The spotlight that once highlighted their achievements now shifts to the question: What will they do next? In those pivotal moments, the choice is theirs. Do they accept being sidelined, allowing doubt and frustration to take over? Or do they use the setback as fuel, push harder, and come back even stronger?

In both sports and business, setbacks are inevitable, and the path forward is rarely a straight line. Like the athletes we admire, we can turn difficult moments into fuel for growth—using adversity or rejection as motivation to reinvent ourselves. When faced with setbacks, you have two choices: stay stuck in frustration, or rise, adapt, and keep pushing toward your next goal.

If you need a push, I’m here to say- let’s go.

What we do after a setback speaks volumes about our character and determination. When an athlete rises after a fall or pushes through pain to finish strong, what do you hear? Applause. It's that moment of resilience that people remember.

If you’ve hit a roadblock or feel stuck, dig deep and imagine the sound of applause, waiting for you to claim it. Take inspiration from the greats—like Simone Biles, Greg Olsen, and Misty Hyman, to name a few, who didn’t back down when faced with challenges or the pressure to settle. Instead, they used those moments to fuel their success, solidifying their legacy as true champions and class acts by overcoming adversity.

If you haven’t yet found the resilience or determination to take your next step, now is the time. Keep growing, keep moving forward—stop holding back and start taking action.

New Year, New Beginnings.

Big Rookie Energy: Unveiling Insights from NADA and Amy Cuddy

Participants enjoyed a blend of automotive insights and motivational wisdom during the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) event. Before NADA, attendees at the Women Driving Auto Retail conference experienced a captivating presentation by the renowned social psychologist Amy Cuddy. Cuddy, known for her groundbreaking research on body language and its impact on confidence and influence, brought her unique perspective to the automotive realm. Her message - quite literally is to make yourself bigger, not smaller. Check out her TedTalk viewed 70M times to see for yourself (if you’re not already one of the 70M!). 

I was excited to return to NADA after a small break and was encouraged by the strides made in diversity and inclusion. In a nod to the obvious, AI made its presence known through numerous solutions—dot AI was practically everywhere. Entrepreneurs abounded. It was awesome to see individuals graduating to mainstage booths after years of grassroots efforts. New entrepreneurs were circulating and seeding the next idea poised for growth.

This NADA stood out for me as I had the opportunity to engage with colleagues who were first-time attendees (rookies). Given the common occurrence of individuals staying in the auto industry or returning after a hiatus, observing the amazement of first-timers was genuinely fun.

While NADA provides a platform for the latest industry trends, attendees were inspired to approach challenges with bold, rookie-like energy, unlocking untapped potential in automotive dealerships. The workshop, “How to sell cars on TikTok” drew large crowds, full of industry veterans, clearly there to learn about reaching rookie car buyers.  Auto veterans realizing they have much to learn about rookie car buyers is like seasoned chefs realizing they've been missing out on the magic of microwave popcorn all these years. Learning from rookies may be as surprising and unexpected as experienced chefs discovering a simple convenience after years of using elaborate methods. The best of the best never ceases to learn and expand, as highlighted in the TedTalk I mentioned. The idea is that growth makes you big; in this case, bigger translates to better.

Please message me if we didn’t connect; I’d love to hear from you. 

I’m curious what your takeaways were; DM or comment to share!