Check Your Ego at the Door

How Quincy Jones orchestrated a musical movement for change

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Inspiration Stories

Image by Studio Superaarde with Midjourney

A bold idea

In the 1980s, in the face of multiple global crises including famine, poverty, and war, Quincy Jones saw music as a vehicle for hope and change. The renowned producer and creative visionary was not interested in producing just another hit track—he wanted to create a rallying cry for humanity. With that vision, Jones gathered the biggest names in music to record ‘We Are The World,’ a track that would go on to become a global anthem for unity and compassion.

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Assembling the crew

The concept was powerful, but it would take an equally strong leader to bring it to life. Jones enlisted music legends like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Bruce Springsteen—each an icon in their own right, with a distinct creative voice and enormous influence.

Jones knew that aligning their talents required putting personal egos aside, so he set the tone in a single, unforgettable way. On the door to the recording studio, he posted a simple yet striking note: “Check Your Ego at the Door.” This wasn’t just a suggestion; it was the code for the entire project. It signaled that, within these walls, they were all equals, bound by a common goal to make music that would make a difference.

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From vision to impact

Inside the studio, Jones masterfully balanced respect for each artist’s voice with an unwavering focus on their shared purpose. This wasn’t about individual solos; it was about harmonizing their voices into a unified message. Jones’ directive to “check your ego at the door” allowed each artist to show up fully, without the usual competition or hierarchy. The studio became a safe, inclusive space for contribution, where individual brilliance merged into something far greater than the sum of its parts.

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A song that made history

‘We Are The World’ became a global phenomenon, raising millions for humanitarian aid and standing as a symbol of solidarity. Its success came not only from the individual talents of the artists involved but also from Jones’ ability to foster trust and focus on a cause beyond their individual fame and glory. By setting an ego-free tone, he turned a room of music legends into a team with a singular purpose.

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Orchestrating magic – key leadership lessons

Quincy Jones’ approach to ‘We Are The World’ demonstrates that true convening is about much more than gathering people in a room. It is about creating a culture of trust and aligning all voices around a common goal.

Here are some tips for how to bring these principles of Convening into your own work:

Create psychological safety: Set the expectation early that individual agendas take a back seat to collective success. Use simple but powerful signals—like Jones’ “check your ego at the door” note—to make clear that collaboration is the priority.
Keep the focus on the collective goal: Reinforce the shared purpose throughout the process. By keeping the focus on the big picture, Jones helped each artist see how their voice contributed to something larger than themselves.
Build empathy and connection: A true Convener brings together people who may not usually work together and helps them find common ground. Encourage shared moments, build mutual respect, and amplify the value of every perspective.

Quincy Jones’ story reminds us of a powerful truth: when we leave our egos behind, we unlock the potential for real, meaningful change. As leaders, we have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to cultivate this kind of environment, helping others connect, contribute, and build something none of us could achieve alone.

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