163 - Lady Gaga and Ladder Climbers

Career-wise, it pays to play it safe. Which could explain why we’re socially primed to hold each other back, especially when we think someone “isn’t ready”...

Today we delve into the remarkable journey of Lady Gaga, born Stephanie Joanne Angelina Germanotta, who went from high school outcast to global icon. Gaga claims she faced relentless bullying for her unconventional style and love for older music, and she carried these scars well into her mega-millions career. Which begs a critical question: as a society if we love underdog stories so much, why are we naturally primed to hold each other back? Was Lady Gaga's path a blend of inherent genius and strategic defiance, or did she really have to fight her way every step?

We’ll also dissect the elements of her resilience, and talk about her exceptional IQ, creativity, and unwavering dedication to her art. We’ll look at studies that reveal our natural preference for eccentric artists, even when their eccentricity is a marketing stunt. Moreover, we’ll look at a robust Gallup poll that compares talent vs tenure, and try reason out why companies are more likely to promote boring, wallpaper-safe drones who have put in their years, rather than climbers who are genuinely trying to up-skill themselves.

Finally, we touch upon the broader implications of ladder climbers within our social fabric. Does being a victim of bullying inevitably lead to greatness, or is it a hurdle too high for most? How does one's social class and support system play a role in shaping our destiny? And what lessons can we learn from Gaga’s journey about nurturing talent, resilience, and the courage to be different?

Links:

https://www.goalcast.com/lady-gaga-school-bullies-facebook/

https://time.com/44365/becoming-popular-can-turn-you-into-a-target-for-bullying/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ejsp.1999

https://news.gallup.com/businessjournal/187871/leadership-mistake-promoting-based-tenure.aspx