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Possessing awesome leadership qualities helps you succeed not just in your career, but also in your personal life.
You’ll discover that being a person with integrity, sincerity, and respect for others draws people to you. It makes them trust you and value your contributions.
If being a good leader is one of your main goals in life, DGH is a great place for finding resources about leadership.
First, you might want to check out this post that describes the qualities of a good leader.
Then, dive into today’s article featuring songs about leadership you can add to your playlist.
These tracks were chosen because they describe what it takes to be a leader who helps those on their team achieve common goals and guides others to reach their full potential.
Here are the songs that represent what a good leader is.
1. Whatever It Takes, Imagine Dragons
via ImagineDragons
“Whatever it takes. ‘Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins. I do whatever it takes. ‘Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains. Whatever it takes. Yeah, take me to the top, I'm ready for whatever it takes…”
This song perfectly describes a leader’s determination to help their team reach their goals. It describes someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their vision.
2. Go the Distance (OST for Disney's Hercules), Michael Bolton
via Michael Bolton
“And I won't look back, I can go the distance. And I'll stay on track, no I won't accept defeat. It's an uphill slope. But I won't lose hope, 'til I go the distance and my journey is complete.”
There are no shortcuts to true success. As a good leader, you need to realize this and set an example for others. Inspire them to go the distance—to go the extra mile for their goals.
The way to a goal might be long and arduous, but a good leader has the ability to rally each team member to help them reach it.
3. Doubt, Mary J. Blige
via Mary J Blige
“Now you're looking at a leader. Now you're staring at a queen. You said I'll never be someone. But now I'm pulling all the strings.”
This song is about someone who has experienced discrimination, yet still managed to overcome all the challenges and reach the top.
Often, women leaders experience a different kind of discrimination compared to their male counterparts. It’s truly an inspiration to see a woman in a leadership position, knowing how difficult the way to the top can be for them.
4. Superheroes, The Script
via The Script
“When you've been fighting for it all your life, you've been struggling to make things right. That's how a superhero learns to fly. Every day, every hour turn the pain into power.”
If you’ve ever encountered leaders who inspire those around them, you probably also learned that they went through difficulties before reaching success.
This song reminds listeners that when we encounter hardships, we discover our inner strength and power. It is through overcoming challenges that we become great leaders who are able to inspire others to also give their best.
5. I Didn't Know My Own Strength, Whitney Houston
via Whitney Houston
“I didn't know my own strength, survived my darkest hour. My faith kept me alive. I picked myself back up. Hold my head up high. I was not built to break. I didn't know my own strength.”
This song from Whitney Houston is about discovering what she’s truly capable of. By realizing her true power, she was able to survive the darkest hour of her life.
6. Unstoppable, The Score
via The Score
“We can be heroes everywhere we go. We can have all that we ever want. Swinging like Ali, knocking out bodies. Standing on top like a champion. Keep your silver, give me that gold. You remember when we say we can be heroes everywhere we go. Keeping us down is impossible. ‘Cause we're unstoppable.”
True leaders put their faith in their teams, but those who do not fully trust in the abilities of their team members put the team’s success at risk.
Leaders who recognize the unique contribution of each team member will be rewarded with better performances and greater chances of reaching whatever goals they have.
This song reminds us to have faith in our teams.
7. With My Own Two Hands, Ben Harper
via Ben Harper
“I'm gonna make it a brighter place. I'm gonna make it a safer place. I'm gonna help the human race. Oh, make it a brighter place. I can hold you. And I can comfort you.”
Good leaders look after the welfare of each team member, but great leaders will work for the greater good of all.
This song describes the “mission” of any great leader. It may sound idealistic, but if every leader worked to fulfill these goals, the world would truly be a better place for everyone.
8. Keep on Pushing, The Impressions
“Now maybe someday, I'll reach that higher goal. I know I can make it. ‘Cause I've got my strength. And it don't make no sense not to keep on pushing.”
This song describes the determination and self-confidence that a good leader possesses. Even when they encounter setbacks, good leaders keep pushing forward until they reach what they’re aiming for.
9. Brave, Nichole Nordeman
via Nichole Nordeman
“So long, status quo. I think I've just let go. You make me want to be brave. The way it always was is no longer good enough. You make me want to be brave…”
Leaders often go beyond what society expects them to be capable of. They venture into untested waters in pursuit of excellence.
One of the main qualities of a good leader is bravery. This song emphasizes this trait in a leader they break beyond the status quo to achieve greater heights for others.
10. Stand, Rascal Flatts
via Rascal Flatts
“Cause when push comes to shove, you taste what you're made of. You might bend 'til you break 'cause it's all you can take. On your knees, you look up, decide you've had enough. You get mad, you get strong. Wipe your hands, shake it off. Then you stand…”
Successful people, such as leaders and the people featured in this post, often experience failures before achieving success.
However, they don’t give up easily. And neither should any of us. This song tell us all that to be good leaders (whether in our jobs or in our personal lives), we need to stand back up each time we fall.
11. Heal the World, Michael Jackson
via Michael Jackson
“Heal the world. Make it a better place. For you and for me and the entire human race. There are people dying. If you care enough for the living, make a better place for you and for me.”
Great leaders have the will and the power to make positive changes to the world around them. This song is about how leaders can make the world a better place for everyone.
12. My Hero, Foo Fighters
via Foo Fighters
“There goes my hero. Watch him as he goes. There goes my hero. He's ordinary.”
This song is about a regular guy who lends a hand when necessary, even when it means putting his own life at risk.
We may be ordinary people, but under the right circumstance, we can step up and be great leaders.
13. It's on Again, Alicia Keys feat. Kendrick Lamar
via Alicia Keys
“I am a lonely hero, trying to fight my battles. Life likes to blow the cold wind. Sometimes it freezes my shadow. In the midst of all this darkness, I sacrifice my ego. There ain't no room for selfish. We do it for the people.”
You’ve probably heard of the phrase, “It’s lonely at the top.” Leaders often experience isolation because of their positions.
However, good leaders will embrace this situation as part of their responsibility. There is no time for regrets or bitterness. The important thing for them is making a difference for the benefit of others.
14. Not All Heroes Wear Capes, Owl City
via Owl City
“He doesn't fight crime or wear a cape. He doesn't read minds or levitate. But every time my world needs saving, he's my Superman. Some folks don't believe in heroes 'cause they haven't met my dad.”
We learn our core values at home, including leadership skills. In this song, Owl City pays tribute to fathers, who can be wonderful leaders, and even be superheroes for their kids.
15. Everyday Superhero, Smash Mouth
via TheMisterFJ
“Just a day job that someone's gotta do. It's kinda hard when everyone looks up to you. Try to make it look easy. Gonna make it look good. Like anybody would.”
This song describes some of the qualities of a true leader.
True leaders have qualifications that make them the perfect person for the job. They accomplish more than others. Also, because they’re very capable, they make the job look easy.
16. Inner Ninja, Classified feat. David Myles
via classifiedmusic
“I read the rules before I broke 'em. I broke the chains before they choked me out. Now I pay close attention. Really learn the code. I learned to read the map before I hit the road.”
This song is about tapping into your inner strength and realizing what you are truly capable of. It is about becoming aware of where your power lies and using it to lead and succeed.
17. Never Gonna Let You Down, Colbie Caillat
via colbiecaillat
“I'm never gonna let you down. I'm always gonna build you up. When you're feeling lost, I will always find you, love. I'm never gonna walk away. I'm always gonna have your back. And if nothing else, you can always count on that when you need me, I promise I will never let you down.”
Leaders look after the members of their teams. This song from Colbie Caillat is a true leader’s promise. It’s wonderful when a leader builds you up and never lets you down.
Final Thoughts on Leadership
A good leader has integrity. They can communicate well and are sincere in all their dealings with others.
You can often tell if a company or organization has a good leader by their level of success. However, being a good leader doesn’t only benefit your career. It can also benefit your personal life.
We hope you enjoyed this collection of songs about leadership. Perhaps you can add a track or two to your playlist.
If you’re looking for more collections of songs for specific topics, we recommend you visit the following posts:
Also, you can check out this post for our recommendations for the best books about leadership.
Finally, if you want to use these songs to make a lasting change to your life, then check out these 100 LIFE GOALS that can help you wake up each morning with a sense of enthusiasm about making progress toward what's important..