The Lady Gaga leadership style … in the church?

In the never ending quest for leadership knowledge, could it be that some church leaders have adopted the leadership style of Lady Gaga?

Although Lady Gaga didn’t make a big splash until her debut studio album The Fame came out in 2008, she has since racked up 249 award nominations, winning 110 of them (including a few Grammy awards), dominating the music charts, capturing a massive fan base, and generally being thought of as the second coming of Madonna (but half her age and with a better singing voice).

How has Lady Gaga skyrocketed to the top in such a short period of time? What’s her secrets for leading the pack in the music world? Here’s a peek into her leadership style …

Raw talent + copy the biggest stars …
Lady Gaga was playing instruments by ear at age 4, writes her own music, and designs her own costumes. She’s got some talent. Added to that, she’s managed to copy some of the biggest names in music that have influenced her, which include Madonna, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Queen, and even Andy Warhol. While some criticize her for what seems to be blatant copying, she shakes off the comments by enjoying critical acclaim.

A great marketer …
Marketing made Madonna a super star, and the same skill for building a brand and marketing herself is paying off in a big way for Lady Gaga. When you think of Lady Gaga, you think of more than a singer who has a song you might like. Instead, you think of a carefully crafted image, or brand, much bigger than a single song or performance.

Over-the-top dramatic productions …
In the footsteps of Madonna, a performance by Lady Gaga will be anything but simple. Instead, you’ll get a major production designed to shock the senses and marvel audiences. She does things bigger than her peers do.

Constantly re-inventing herself …
What will Lady Gaga say next? Do next? Wear next? Anticipation foments prior to the star’s next performance because you never know what her latest showing will be like. Innovation and creativity are at the heart of each of her shows. Even a simple interview may feature a completely new look.

Fierce …
Lady Gaga is fierce about, well, being Lady Gaga. She knows what she wants to accomplish, and is fierce about pursuing it.

As you look at Lady Gaga’s leadership style, you might see a little correlation with some leadership style being practiced in the church. But if you ever asked anyone directly if this is the kind of style they use to lead in the church, they would never admit it. They’d just … put on their poker face.

Scotty