Discover how Michael Jackson’s Work Ethic and Skills Can Inspire the Next Generation in the 21st-Century

By Mellisa Genfi

Image: Michael Jackson at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards Getty Images

“Have confidence no matter what you do. Even if you’re sweeping floors or painting ceilings, do it better than anyone else in the world.” Michael Jackson

Today Love Me Stories examines the creative genius and work ethic of the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson was one of the greatest performers to bless the stage and the world. Michael was an icon in his own right, had a career span of 30 years, and was a cultural figure during the 20th and 21st centuries. From his humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana (USA) performing with his brothers the Jackson 5 to going solo and becoming one of the best-selling musicians of all time an estimated 500 million records sold worldwide. In this creativity series we will investigate beyond the ground-breaking music he made, we will analyse his work habits, his creative process, his innovative approach and the discipline he had to master his craft. Michael was able to not only sell records, he also had the ability to connect to his audiences deeply. What valuable strategies and skills can educators and parents learn from Michael Jackson that we can teach to inspire and prepare our young ones for the 21st century.

Michael Jackson’s Work Strategies (Table of Contents)

The Power of Discipline and Practice: Key to Success
Creativity Meets Innovation
Harnessing Collaboration and Teamwork
The Magic of Storytelling
Work Ethic Meets Passion: A Blueprint for Achievement
Conclusion
Check out Michael Jackson inspired concepts of creativity, discipline and work ethic

The Power of Discipline and Practice: Key to Success

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“No matter how many times you do it, do it again, until it’s right.” Michael Jackson

Michael knew from a young age that his great talent would amount to nothing without hard work. During Michael’s performance days with his brothers the Jackson 5, they consistently practised their songs and dance moves. Michael spent extended hours mastering his musical skills, he frequently analysed his voice control, and stage performances with excellent attention to detail. Michael was not only consumed with being good, he wanted to be the best of the best. Michael was not afraid to push himself or get things wrong the first time, he studied performers who came before him learning and observing their techniques and adapting them to his style. Michael’s commitment to practising and planning his performances symbolized his discipline and dedication.

Application: Educators should encourage students to regularly engage in their tasks even when errors occur. When tasks are complicated let your students break down the work into manageable parts focusing on the work in bitesize and mastering their work one step at a time. Michael worked beyond measure, young learners must use repetition as a strategy to improve their work, whether it’s maths, learning a craft or practising a musical instrument. Michael understood the power of discipline and its benefits, discipline is essential for the 21st-century child to thrive. Having the soft skill of discipline will help future young leaders deal with challenges in their careers and businesses.

Creativity Meets Innovation

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“The magic, the wonder, the mystery and the innocence of a child’s heart are the seeds of creativity that will heal the world” Michael Jackson.

When it comes to creativity Michael Jackson was a trailblazer who transcended expectations. Michael redefined music and the entertainment industry with his innovative ideas that pushed him to think outside of the box. Introducing us to the moonwalk dance in 1983, to creating electrifying music videos. Videos such as Bad, Thriller and Smooth Criminal revolutionized the music industry, setting the standard for other artists to experiment with storytelling and striking visuals. Michael Jackson’s videos were a combination of technical skill choreography with a blend of cinematic visuals, Michael was not afraid to demonstrate his skills and creativity which positioned him as the King of Pop. Michael Jackson broke racial barriers as an African-American artist, paving the way for future generations of black artists.

Application: Michael Jackson was unafraid to try new things, the success of his videos such as “Thriller and Bad” demonstrated Michael’s leverage with technology at that moment in time. In today’s world, we are privileged with the abundance of technology. Young learners are required to have digital skills for the 21st century. Educators can create creative lessons with today’s technology tools and software such as collaboration apps such as Class Dojo, and design apps like Canva, Virtual Reality and AI to plan potential lessons. Integrating creativity such as music and visual arts into traditional subjects such as Maths and numerous others can help young students think and express their ideas holistically. An example of this is teachers can help students use design apps to create educational materials, role play or write a song within their chosen traditional subject which can be recorded and edited. Educators should encourage their students to be innovative with their work, just like Michael who was unafraid to experiment and set the trend for others to follow.

Harnessing Collaboration and Teamwork

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“Michael Jackson was a vocalist who could see where he wanted to go and get there.” Howard Hewett Background Vocalist.

Michael believed in collaboration; supporting Michael Jackson’s remarkable achievements is a group of producers, directors, choreographers, and numerous others. Michael built great relationships with professionals to bring his vision to life. Michael understood the power of collaboration to get his desired results.

Application: In the 21st century, being creative and working together are connected. Teachers need to motivate students to team up and cooperate on tasks. Learners need to observe their classmates and understand their abilities. Assigning tasks encourages growth in leadership skills and personal responsibility later on. Students must study their peers that are around them and know their strengths, designating responsibilities helps to develop leadership and accountability in the future.

The Magic of Storytelling

“I love to read. I wish I could advise more people to read. There’s a whole new world in books. If you can’t afford to travel, you travel mentally through reading. You can see anything and go anyplace you want to in reading.” Michael Jackson

During his lifetime, Michael had a passion for reading. He enjoyed it so much that his collection of books at his Neverland ranch reached as high as 10,000. His love for reading played a significant role, inspiring fresh ideas while making his music. Michael’s greatest asset was his ability to tell captivating stories through his music. He was able to communicate his messages not only with words, he mastered nonverbal communication with body language which captured his audiences. Michael created deep connections with these skills which helped his audiences relate to him.

Application: Parents and teachers should encourage students to read inspiring stories, and young people should be directed to read materials that promote growth and critical thinking. Learning historical events and scientific concepts can create compelling narratives which can be implemented into subjects. Students should acquire the skill of storytelling which will be useful in their careers and business in the future. The ability to tell stories is a strong way to impact, convince, and promote your thoughts. Teaching students about body language can help them in making presentations later on, as it helps them connect better with others. Students can also talk about Michael Jackson’s song ‘Man in the Mirror,’ looking at both people and society in general. This can lead to conversations about what responsibilities they have and their role in the world.

Work Ethic Meets Passion: A Blueprint for Achievement

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“I do deeply believe in perfection. I’m never satisfied” Michael Jackson

Michael’s work habits were not only an obsession to accomplish tasks, it was also his passion to see his work come to life. Michael was passionate about his craft and this passion was evident when he stepped onto the stage. Students who master their craft must be passionate about what they do and put their all into their work.

Application: Educators can help their students identify and explore their interests that will benefit them in the future. Assisting students to create short and long-term goals, which will give them direction of where they need to be and what needs to be done for a bright future. Creating big goals will seem intimidating the first time, breaking them down into bite-size pieces with a time frame attached to them. Students ought to be motivated to engage in outside activities that will assist them in becoming skilled in their fields, and they should be made aware of the benefits of hard work, mastering their skills requires effort and they won’t achieve quick rewards.

Conclusion

Michael Jackson had an extraordinary career during his lifetime, his creativity and his work ethic are a blueprint that should be used not only for entertainers but for educators alike. Michael Jackson’s principles should be incorporated into education, students who are inspired to grow to their full potential with 21st-century educational skills should implement Michael’s lessons of discipline, mastery, creativity, collaboration, purpose and passion, preparing them for the 4th industrial revolution.