What can The Beatles teach us about management?

“Get Back” is a newly released documentary about The Beatles.

The project — created by “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson — pulls incredible footage from a 1969 recording session.

The legendary group demonstrates…

… notable management principles in their creative process, per The Economist.

First is group psychology: An MIT study shows that group performance is more correlated with sensitivity than intelligence.

Ringo Starr — the coolest mustached musician ever — is known as the laid-back guy. His chill attitude makes him seem “dispensable” but he “softens conflict and bridges divides” within the group.

Two other principles:

• Inspiration is everywhere: McKinsey surveyed 5k+ execs and found that learning from others is key to success. The Beatles regularly got creative ideas from other bands.
• Deadlines are key: A Google study found its best teams set goals that were “specific, challenging and attainable.” In the documentary, The Beatles have “to write an album’s worth of new songs in just a matter of days and perform them on a TV special.”

The Economist concedes its analysis has limits: not every team can have George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney.

The latter 2 are regarded as all-time geniuses. That’s one management lesson you can imagine, but not replicate.