Celebs Make Really Good Leaders!

Behavioral scientist and New York Times best-selling author Jon Levy tells Us why there's more to our favorite stars than just charm

- By Jon Levy

When you imagine a great leader, you probably picture a Fortune 500 CEO with a booming voice and a corner office. But leadership is not about dominance; it's about unlocking the collective genius of a group. And Hollywood may have more to teach us about that than the boardroom does.

Start with Pharrell Williams. The multihyphenate is (among other things) a composer, a producer and the men's creative director for Louis Vuitton. He's also one of the most sought-after collaborators around, because he makes it about the project, not himself. He spots hidden potential and brings people together across industries. (Look no further than the viral 2016 video of Williams hearing — and being gobsmacked by — then-NYU-grad-student Maggie Rogers' music for the first time.) He defies the myth that leaders must be larger-than-life personalities, showing that the best ones reveal the strengths of others and create conditions where collaboration thrives.

Lady Gaga similarly curates diverse voices in her music, fashion, activism, film and business ventures, which include cosmetics brand Haus Labs by Lady Gaga