Lessons in Leadership from The Eras Tour Docuseries

I wouldn’t consider myself a Swiftie. Sure, I somehow secured tickets to the Eras Tour when it came to Los Angeles in August of 2023, but I did it for my niece! I attended the concert and yes, I couldn’t help but get swept up in the undeniable happiness and energy buzzing through the stadium. It was inspiring to see the community of Swifties up close, and I’d be hard-pressed to name another concert where everyone was so over-the-top enthusiastically happy to be there.

But it wasn’t until I watched Taylor Swift: The End of an Era — the six-episode docuseries chronicling her Eras Tour — that I could confidently say I’m now a Swiftie!

I was drawn to the docuseries for a specific reason. As someone who has spent more than 20 years in event production, I wanted a peek behind the curtain. The tour was made up of 149 three-and-a-half-hour shows across 51 cities on five continents and became the highest-grossing tour of all time. I wanted to see the logistics and production to see how this was pulled off. What I didn’t expect was a masterclass in leadership and kindness. Or to cry as much as I did.

From the very first episode, which opens with Taylor giving a pep talk to her band and dancers before the final show, you’re on an emotional roller coaster. When they are faced with the news of a failed terror attack attempt and a fatal stabbing at a Swift-themed dance class, you watch Taylor carry that grief with grace. The emotion stays at the surface for the remaining five episodes as you have a front row seat to Taylor falling in love, see one of her dancers get diagnosed with breast cancer, watch rehearsals, learn about Taylor’s workout routine, fall in love with Kameron Saunders (and his mom!), and yes, get to see some of the inner workings of the logistics and production that made it all possible.

She rode in a “janitor’s cart” to get from her dressing room to the stage so the crowd wouldn’t see her outfit before the show started. She dove headfirst through a trapdoor on the stage floor and then rode a motorized scooter across the under-stage area to facilitate an outfit change quickly. Speaking of outfit changes…we learned there were four quick change rooms built under the stage to help with the 16 costume changes that were part of the show.

And then woven through every personal moment were valuable leadership lessons. I couldn’t help but take some notes.

1. Never underestimate the power of a handwritten note. In the peer-to-peer fundraising world, we talk about this constantly, and yet not everyone acts on it. It was beyond heartwarming to see that Taylor wrote a personal note to every crew member, backup dancer, band member and backup vocalist to thank them for their contribution and acknowledge their sacrifices. It was a powerful reminder of an easy way to make people feel truly seen with a small gesture that isn’t small at all.
2. Share the spotlight. One of the most impressive things about the docuseries was how much we got to know the artists who made Taylor’s performance possible. It was clear she was deeply invested in their growth and development. You cheered for them, wanted to see them succeed, and couldn’t help but feel proud for them as well. And there was clear intention in making sure the tour reflected people of all sizes, shapes, and backgrounds — so that every person in the audience could see themselves on that stage. It was a great example of good leadership and vision based on how Taylor shared the spotlight and used her tour to elevate her crew and amplify their stories.
3. Honor the ending while being grateful for the experience. The final episode wrecked me (in the best way) as we watched the team struggle with the bittersweet reality of the tour ending. They were committed to going out on a high note while sitting with the grief of something ending. In 2024, I went through something similar when our work on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day was coming to a close. We spent months preparing for a beautiful and emotional final season, wanting to give participants the most amazing experience possible while savoring every last moment together. Our feelings were always just below the surface and we did our best to be in the moment while honoring all the complicated feelings that come with something ending. Taylor and her team gave us a beautiful blueprint for what a graceful goodbye looks like. It reinforced that how you end something is just as important as you start it.

Even if you’re not a Swiftie, Taylor Swift: The End of An Era is worth your time especially if you care about leadership, community, and the kind of culture that makes people feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. And if you did watch it, I’d love to know: what stood out most for you and are there any lessons you learned that you can apply to your own work?

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