How Can We Learn Career Skills from Michael Jackson?

By Adriana Llames (Adriana Llames) - a career coach and acclaimed writer

Have you ever seen Michael Jackson’s film “This Is It”? What an amazing perspective on Michael Jackson’s art—on stage and off stage! Before I watched this film—and of course, I should say that I recently watched it again on television—my eyes were blind to the depth of his genius, whether he was working with a group or during his solo career.

A Group Artist and a Solo Artist

In 1977*, after 14 years and 14 albums with the Jackson 5 and Motown*, Michael created his own unique commercial identity and released his first solo album with Epic Records, “Off The Wall.” Amid the success of that album, “Thriller” emerged—selling 50 million copies worldwide at the time, featuring 7 explosive singles, and setting a record by winning 8 Grammy Awards in one night. In 1984, he officially announced that he was leaving the Jacksons and beginning his solo career.

Musician and Filmmaker

When you watch the film This Is It, you’ll understand that Jackson had talent in many areas—from choosing dancers to reviewing the notes of every song and the musical keys. In short, he had a hand in everything. But that’s not all. He also appeared in a $30 million film directed by Francis Ford Coppola titled “Captain EO,” which was shown at Disneyland.

Businessman and Philanthropist

He was a business-minded “chicken” who, in 1985, bought the catalog of ATV Music songs—including works by the Beatles—for $47.5 million. Ten years later, he merged ATV with Sony and sold 50% of his share to Sony for $90 million. In 1992, he founded the Heal The World Foundation and sent millions of dollars around the world to support children who were victims of war, poverty, and disease. He set aside personal gain and gave 100% of the income from the Dangerous Tour and the record-breaking $20 million in revenue from its television broadcast rights on HBO to charitable foundations.

For children and the world, these aid efforts were just beginning. He was eager in supporting research related to AIDS/HIV and asked Clinton (the president) to support the AIDS-fighting foundations, help with research, and send a goodwill ambassador to oversee more than a thousand AIDS patients in Africa and Egypt.

From One Branch to Another

Not all of us can, in a single moment, be a Grammy-winning artist, filmmaker, businessman, and humanitarian activist at this level and scale. However, we can learn from Michael Jackson’s wise and perceptive character. He moved from one branch to another, but he never lost focus on the core of each of these areas. For example, if he held a concert, his earnings went to charities. Or he chose music as the basis for his business side and started a publishing company. What matters is that you focus on your specific skill, but also develop it into other areas that you can naturally do as well.

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(*Mistake by the author: 1979 is correct.)

[For more information: Michael began his career as the lead singer with the Jackson 5 (1964 to 1975). The group then changed its name to the Jacksons after joining CBS Records in 1976. Michael left the Jacksons in 1984. He began his solo career with Epic Records in 1979 and released a total of 6 studio albums by 2001.

* Michael recorded 10 studio albums with the Jackson 5 and 6 studio albums with the Jacksons.

* When Michael was still a member of the Jackson 5 (from 1972 to 1975), he also released four solo albums with Motown.

So Michael released a total of 14 albums with Motown.]

Source: eMJey.com / businessinsider