Sunday night, I went to see Dave Hause at Mississippi Studios with a close friend. It was a phenomenal show. I got to spend time enjoying great music from one of my favorite artists with a good friend.

The show was also helpful in reminding me of some simple truths. These can show up anywhere.

1. Put people first. Always.

From the moment I walked in and over to the merch table, I was greeted by Tim Hause, Dave’s brother and bandmate. I shared a story with him about another time I saw them play and how it was a particularly unique experience. In fact, our son was born the next day and the venue was crazy. I’ll never forget it.

Tim listened and engaged. He asked questions and didn’t insist that I buy merch, which I did, or try to skip my story. He engaged me as a person.

People first, people second, the work somewhere down the line later.

The generosity shown by offering another person a few of your hard earned minutes instead of trying to make an interaction efficient is valuable. In an age where the false idol of efficiency seems to rule, take a minute and dethrone it and share in the joy of being a person.

2. Go out and make things no matter your season.

The opener, American Steel, was a band that I recall my brother being a huge fan of when he was younger. I hadn’t heard a ton of their music, but I loved the fact that they were honest. We are all doing different things and leave here to go back to our “normal” lives, but we love playing music together.

It was an amazing reminder that more companies need to invest in wonder. More companies need to create and try innovative things, to play, explore, attempt.

Don’t get me wrong, we all need to make a living, but don’t be so quick to give up on doing something amazing for the love of it.

3. Celebrate what other people are making.

Show up and share in the joy of making, not because you wish it were you on the stage, but because it is important to care about the work that others put out in the world.

If you see another company doing something well, don’t jump to the fact that they are your competition. Competition is a weak strategy. Appreciate good work and find a position in the world that you can own.

4. Brand equity is a lot like loyalty to the music people love. It’s hard to build, but once you find it, people are loyal.

I looked around at the audience. I am 40 now and a lot of the music I grew up listening to was once for “young” people. It was strange to see a crowd of what used to be teenagers now representing the parents we tried to rebel against. Haha.

I realized something in seeing that. A lot of people find something they love and believe in. Brands offer a promise, and when they keep it, people buy in and tell others. They become lifelong fans.

DON’T take this for granted. Don’t make promises to your customers and then break them. If you want lifelong fans and loyalty, remember it takes a lifetime to build and moments to break.

5. No matter the size of the show, play hard. No matter if it’s 300 or 3 million.

I first saw Dave Hause when he was with The Loved Ones as an opener years ago in Chicago. They were met with a lot of “Who are these guys?” or “They remind me of...” They put on one of the greatest shows I have ever seen, both from the stage or audience.

There was an authenticity in the music and in the love of making the music. Dave Hause still has this. I was blown away by the love and passion that he played with. The fact that he still came into the crowd and played with as much passion no matter the size.

Brands need to show up. Show up when a lot of people are buying or for that single customer. DON’T phone it in to please the shareholders or pad your pockets.

What a great show, and I can’t wait to see another.

#BrandStrategy #BrandBuilding #BrandEquity #Creativity #Leadership #BecomeRemarkable #DavidMastersGroup