Swift and Cignetti

What do Taylor Swift and Curt Cignetti have in common?

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At first glance, not much. Yet both demonstrate inspiring leadership through how they show up, how they build teams, and how they define success beyond themselves.

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Last weekend, I watched a Taylor Swift docuseries and followed Curt Cignetti as he led Indiana to a national championship.

After viewing Swift’s docuseries, her leadership stood out immediately. I believe we are all leaders and she offers powerful examples we can learn from. She continues to redefine what success looks like and how leaders create it.

👍 She sets culture intentionally. From introducing herself to every dancer by name to gathering the entire team arm-in-arm before each show, she reinforces belonging, shared purpose, and readiness before performance.
👍 She recognizes contribution meaningfully. The bonuses mattered, but the handwritten notes and personal wax seals mattered more. Appreciation felt personal, not transactional.
👍 She steps out of the spotlight to elevate others. When dancers needed the moment, she moved herself aside so their talent took center stage.
👍 In doing so, she creates excellence through trust. She lets people do what they do best and supports them fully every step of the way.

The six-part docuseries, 𝘛𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘵 | 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘳𝘢𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳 | 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘳𝘢, released in December 2025, offers leadership lessons alongside a deeper appreciation for what it takes to deliver a tour unlike anything before it. 🎵

Also worth a watch is Curt Cignetti, head football coach of the Indiana University football team. The transformation of Indiana Hoosiers football stands out as one of the most impressive program rebuilds in recent memory.

👍 He communicates clearly and directly. He offers insight rather than deflection and speaks from a place of earned confidence.
👍 He follows a proven process. Clear expectations, accountability, and trust anchor everything he does. Experience taught him the process works.
👍 He builds teams, not just rosters. He brings in players who understand the system and value playing for each other.
👍 The result shows up as a high-performing culture grounded in trust, alignment, and shared standards.

Inspiring leadership rarely looks the same, but it often feels the same. Clarity, trust, and the willingness to lift others. You may not lead a stadium or a locker room, but the way you show up still sets the tone.

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲
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𝘞𝘢𝘺𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 354 (𝘠7 𝘞42)