Verified by Psychology Today

Ruth Blatt Ph.D.

About

Ruth Blatt obtained a B.A. in Psychology at Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. in Management and Organizations at the University of Michigan. She taught Organizational Behavior and Entrepreneurship at the University of Illinois in Chicago, where her research focused on the relational dynamics of start-up teams. Always a music lover, she realized one late night while watching a Metallica documentary that rock bands are small businesses, that they function as self-managed product-development teams, and that they have a lot to teach us about teamwork. Since then, she has applied her business and psychology expertise toward the music industry in various publications and is writing a book about teamwork lessons from rock bands.

Recent Posts
How Lou Reed Normalized Deviance in Rock n’ Roll
Lou Reed was one of the first artists who showed us that rock n’ roll can be about more than love songs and party music. At the age of seventeen he had electroshock therapy to cure him of his homosexual tendencies. The experience of his parents committing violence to his brain for the sake of upholding middle class values shaped his work and changed rock music forever.
9 Ways to Increase Your Charisma
Prince believed that charisma can be learned. He was right. Research shows that charisma can be broken down to specific communication strategies. Learn how to be a more effective communicator using these examples from rock stars.
The Problem with No Problems: The Rock Band Case
New research shows that success doesn't necessarily strengthen the team. In contrast, early setbacks, such as failed shows by nascent bands, build cohesion and develop pride in the team’s resolve, dedication, and commitment.
How Giving Builds Community: The Case of Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth’s giving approach helped grow the underground alternative movement from the margins to the mainstream and helped perpetuate a musician-led culture of mutual support. Along the way, it granted the band the freedom and support to keep making music it believed in.

Sonic Youth’s giving approach helped grow the underground alternative movement from the margins to the mainstream and helped perpetuate a musician-led culture of mutual support. Along the way, it granted the band the freedom and support to keep making music it believed in.

Friends as Business Partners

Despite the advice "Never go into business with friends," 90% of entrepreneurs do just that, as well as most rock bands. When they find themselves with a teammate-friend who is not holding up his or her end, they have to make a choice.

Despite the advice "Never go into business with friends," 90% of entrepreneurs do just that, as well as most rock bands. When they find themselves with a teammate-friend who is not holding up his or her end, they have to make a choice.

Difficult Leaders: From Groupon to Stone Temple Pilots

Groupon and Stone Temple Pilots recently ousted their founder-leaders. Like many organizations, rock bands are often led by narcissists. Although narcissists can be good for organizational performance, they can be difficult to work with. When the difficult person is a founder, common business practice is to replace them. Bands are better off adapting to their leader.

Groupon and Stone Temple Pilots recently ousted their founder-leaders. Like many organizations, rock bands are often led by narcissists. Although narcissists can be good for organizational performance, they can be difficult to work with. When the difficult person is a founder, common business practice is to replace them. Bands are better off adapting to their leader.

Why Success Makes Us Risk Averse

When musicians succeed they can become so worried about losing their place at the top that they stop taking the creative risks that got them there in the first place

When musicians succeed they can become so worried about losing their place at the top that they stop taking the creative risks that got them there in the first place