Good Ideas and Power Moves: Ten Lessons for Success from Taylor Swift

O’Sullivan, former head of Harvard Business School’s Institute for Strategy, breaks down the business savvy of the world’s richest female musician in this actionable guide. Taylor Swift, the prolific, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who sells out stadiums around the world, became the first pop star to reach billionaire status primarily through their music in 2024. A self-proclaimed “Swiftie,” O’Sullivan extracts 10 lessons from the success of Swift’s empire and argues that the gap between the superstar and a regular person isn’t necessarily talent but motivation and hard work. Tips include “be a unicorn” (develop relentless dedication to your craft), “build a world, not products” (good businesses are greater than the sum of their parts), and “be antifragile” (learn to flourish in chaos). Merging basic business advice with nontraditional marketing strategies, including a “unite and lead” approach to influencing that she terms “white psyops,” O’Sullivan lays out an accessible road map to achievement. Those looking to live fearlessly in their personal and professional lives will be encouraged by this optimistic lesson plan. (Sept.)