What if the greatest leadership and management lessons came from the stage, not just the boardroom? This provocation guides the book “Be a Rock Star in Business,” by Michel Mariano Pizzetti —entrepreneur, CEO, singer, and songwriter. In the book, the author transforms the trajectories of legendary bands like the Beatles, Queen, Pink Floyd, and Tina Turner into vivid metaphors for corporate themes such as organizational culture, branding, resilience, and connecting with the public.
Michel, you bring together two seemingly distant worlds: the corporate world and the musical world. How did the idea of using rock music as a reference for corporate leadership come about?
The idea was born from my own journey. I’ve always lived intensely in the corporate world, but I’m also a musician. I realized that rock greats have an energy and a way of leading crowds that can inspire corporate leaders. The stage and the boardroom, deep down, are not so different: both require purpose, authenticity, and the ability to engage people.
What rock band lessons do you consider most applicable to the day-to-day life of a CEO or manager?
The main lesson is the notion of a band: no one achieves success alone. A manager needs to build a team where each talent has room to shine. Another lesson is the discipline hidden behind the glamour—rehearsals, planning, and resilience. And of course, the courage to take risks, innovate, and remain relevant, like a band that spans generations.
You mention names like the Beatles, Queen, and Tina Turner. Is there any artist or band that has directly influenced your leadership vision?
Mick Jagger has always been a great inspiration. He embodies stage leadership with charisma, presence, and the ability to command crowds. Jagger knows how to balance discipline, strategy, and improvisation, keeping the Rolling Stones relevant for decades. This ability to reinvent oneself and engage generations is exactly what a leader needs to stay ahead in any business.
In your experience, what’s the most surprising parallel between building a successful music career and building a solid business?
The need for consistency. A band can’t survive on one hit, just as a company can’t survive on one good idea alone. It’s necessary to maintain quality, reinvent yourself, and nurture your relationship with your audience over time. Both musical and business careers are creative and strategic marathons.
The book talks about “public connection.” How can this skill transform the way leaders relate to their teams?
When a leader learns to genuinely connect, they stop talking to and start talking with. This active listening builds trust, belonging, and engagement. A team that feels seen and heard works with more energy and purpose, just as an audience cheers when a band creates unforgettable moments.
Do you believe that any manager can become a “rock star” within their own company, or is a certain natural profile necessary?
I believe everyone can do it. Some have natural talent, others need to develop it. Being a “corporate rock star” isn’t about exaggerated charisma, but about authenticity and consistency. When a leader understands their strengths, works purposefully, and cares for people, they become a role model and an inspiration.
What would you say to leaders who struggle to balance corporate discipline with creativity and authenticity?
I would say that discipline and creativity are not opposites, but complementary. Rock music exists only because there are chords, time signatures, and technique—and it is within these rules that the freedom to improvise emerges. It’s the same in companies: processes provide security, but it’s creativity that creates differentiation and the future.
If you could choose one song that summed up the essence of leadership you advocate in the book, what would it be and why?
“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. Because it speaks to energy, movement, and enthusiasm, fundamental elements for any leader. A manager who infects their team with this vibe creates an environment where everyone believes they can achieve more—and that’s true rockstar leadership.
Follow Michel Mariano Pizzetti on Instagram