Lessons in Longevity and Teamwork from Keane's Two-Decade Musical Journey

For those small (but privileged!!) group who’ve read some of my previous blogs will know this isn’t a first-time offence! Last week I (finally) went back to the Coop Live arena in Manchester … the “scene of the crime” for 2 previous blogs (One Blog a Year like this will see me right - Part 1 and Part 2) ... to go to another concert, this time the delayed 20-year anniversary tour by Keane celebrating their seminal breakthrough album Hopes and Fears which, if you aren’t already a Keane fan, you will inevitably know of if only through the Lily Allen version of their song Something Only We Know, used for one of those tear-jerking John Lewis Christmas adverts a few years ago.

I’d not seen them live before although I do have their albums (on CD as well as tagged on my streaming service, how very 20th and 21st century of me!), but what struck me sitting in the top tier of the arena was not just the brilliant concert, but the masterclass in sustained teamwork on display. This resonated strongly with previous musings and jottings of mine around why collaboration and teamwork is important, and perhaps how we don’t train and exercise that muscle in our everyday working lives as we should.

Much like many of the teams I've either been in, led ... or more recently challenged and supported through the work we do at Advance, Keane demonstrate how diverse talents can create something far greater than the sum of its parts.

Tom Chaplin's distinctive vocals are supported on stage by Tim Rice-Oxley's intricate keyboard compositions, and Richard Hughes' rhythmic foundation, each representing a critical role within the band's ecosystem. Tom himself describes himself as a shallow front man, and yes he is the classic front man/spokesman/leader on show in front of the audience … he’s the only one talking to the crowd, the only voice we can pick out distinctly. But he’s not the writer (that’s Tim mostly) nor can he deliver this mix of distinctive sound by himself. It is a collective (and collaborative!) effort finely honed over year of craft and practice to look as natural and seamless as it did on that stage.

This mirrors the principles of how teams need to understand and integrate a range of role capabilities but also styles and thinking I’ve picked up in previous blog posts. Just as in a successful business team, each member of Keane brings a unique skill set that complements the others. No single member overshadows the rest; instead, they create a harmonious whole that amplifies their collective potential. All too often a front man becomes the band in the social memory, but not here. Tom often goes out of his way (it seems) to be humble and recognise the critical contribution of the other individuals and the team overall.

Navigating Challenges: The True Test of Team Resilience

Their 20-year journey hasn't been without its challenges. Periods of hiatus, personal struggles, and the natural evolution of creative relationships could have easily fractured less committed groups. Yet Keane has consistently demonstrated the kind of emotional intelligence and mutual respect that defines truly exceptional teams. Tom was open on stage about his personal journey, not adapting to fame well at a young age ... and how his band colleagues pulled him through.

This enduring resilience echoes some of the insights I've shared about teams sustaining and enduring successfully over the long term (think of how long some of our complex infrastructure projects are these days… the likes of HS2, HPPC, SZC will outlive some whole careers!)

It's not about avoiding conflict, but about how teams process and overcome challenges together. Their ability to return to each other, to rebuild and reinvent, speaks volumes about their underlying mutual respect and shared vision. Over the years, Keane have navigated personal and professional challenges, always coming together to create music that resonates with their audience (the overwhelming energy and emotion in the Coop live was testament to that.. indeed it did overwhelm Tom at times).

This level of enduring collaboration requires trust, open communication, and a shared vision.

What's particularly compelling about Keane is how they've maintained their collaborative spirit while allowing individual growth. Each member has, at times, pursued solo projects and personal development, yet they've maintained the fundamental connection that makes their collective work special.

I've often emphasized that the most successful teams are those that balance individual potential with collective goals. Keane embodies this principle perfectly – they've each developed individually while maintaining a core connection that allows them to reunite and create magic. They have a clear Golden Thread that connects them but also links them inextricably to a passionate and committed following who have also endured.

Leadership Lessons from a Musical Collective

Keane’s experience offers some key lessons for leadership and team management:

• Recognize and celebrate individual strengths
• Create space for personal growth
• Maintain communication and mutual respect
• View challenges as opportunities for collective learning
• Stay committed to a shared vision

As the final notes of Bedshaped, the final encore song from Hopes and Fears echoed through the arena, I was reminded that true teamwork is an art form. It requires patience, understanding, and a commitment that transcends individual egos.

For leaders and team builders, Keane isn't just a band – like elbow before them in this blog history, they offer real life and relatable examples of what we can aspire to as well as the challenges and struggles we inevitably will face.