Being branded as ”the quiet Beatle” didn’t exactly set George Harrison up for instant solo success, but he found it anyway.

His music reflected his devotion to Indian mysticism and Hinduism. He continually broadened the horizons of his bandmates and his fans. Much of what he did wasn’t all that mainstream, but he did it anyway. And much of it resonated with people.

George Harrison was honest. He was passionate. He was a writer, and the only Beatle (so far) to write a full autobiography. He was an avid gardener, and his dedication to the earth was reflected in much of his music. He was friends with all three other Beatles after the band broke up. He played on Ringo’s and John’s solo albums. And he was a Traveling Wilbury.

George Harrison would have turned 68 today, had cancer not taken him from us in 2001.

I admire the honesty and quiet dedication to causes that George Harrison reflected in his life.

Honesty and quiet dedication are admirable qualities in people and in business.

Whole Foods quietly supports organic and sustainable farming and environmental conservation. They don’t brag about it much… they just do it. It is part of what they stand for.

Chick-Fil-A doesn’t open on Sunday. They don’t put a neon sign up in the store that says “we’re religious”, they just do it. It is in their DNA.

Quiet. Honest. Real. Human. Subtle. Gentle. All qualities that any brand can learn from the career of George Harrison.

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He’s the Beatle that gets the least respect.

Ringo Starr wasn’t often heard singing on Beatles classics, save for a select few like “Yellow Submarine” and “With A Little Help From My Friends”.  While he had a few hits on his own, his post-Beatles solo career never created lasting classics like Paul’s “Band On The Run”, John’s “Imagine”, or George’s “What Is Life”.

As Rock an Roll Guru Joe Heuer points out on his website, it was 21 years ago today that “Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band” kicked off their first tour.  That first show in Dallas featured Ringo along with Dr. John, Levon Helm & Rick Danko from The Band, Nils Lofgren & Clarence Clemons from The E Street Band, and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh.  Variations of the “All-Starr Band” over the years have included Burton Cummings, Todd Rundgren, John Entwistle (The Who), Jack Bruce (Cream), Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Colin Hay (Men At Work), Richard Marx, Billy Squire, Gary Wright, Edgar Winter, and Rick Derringer.  This summer, the 10th “All-Starr Band” is on the road.

Here are three brilliant lessons that businesses and brands can learn from Ringo Starr.

1. Share the glory.  Great things happen when nobody cares who gets the credit.  When all of these fantastic musicians share the stage (literally), amazing music happens.  Nobody lets ego ruin the show.  Nobody cares who gets the credit.  It is a labor of love.

2. Surround yourself with people better than you.  Not that any of these people are “better” in the technical sense than Ringo Starr, but many of them are bigger individual names that could draw a significant audience on their own.  Ringo is wise to surround himself with great people who can help make him look even better.  Far too often we are afraid of hiring the best and brightest for fear that they will take our job, but the reality is that hiring the best and brightest almost always makes you look brilliant.

3. The sum is greater than the parts.  The best parts of an All-Starr Band concert are the inevitable jam sessions, impromptu guest appearances, and unexpected surprises.  All of these musicians playing together seriously beats any one of them playing on their own.

Are you willing to share the glory with those around you?

Do you hire the most brilliant people, even if they are better than you?

Do you create teams that far exceed the capabilities of any one individual?

Those are definitely three hallmarks of successful businesses today.

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