The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk #327: Marc Roberge Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com Marc Roberge is lead singer and rhythm guitar player for O.A.R. (Of A Revolution).  He also is their primary songwriter and has been described by his band-mates as, "Our Leader." He formed the band with his best friend (and drummer) Chris Culos for an 8th grade talent show 23 years ago in Rockville, Maryland.  I first saw him play at a college bar called "First Run" on the Miami University campus in Oxford, OH my freshman year (2000).  Since then, O.A.R. has gone on to sell out Madison Square Garden.  We recorded this episode in Austin, Texas next to the stage at Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater. Notes: The importance of persistence and why Our 20-year history – Watch them playing at First Run in Oxford, OH – The journey from small college bars to selling out Madison Square Garden Chose Ohio State because they have the most bars in a small area – Earned the Buckeye National Scholarship “Money was not part of the equation at the beginning.  We just needed enough to keep the van gassed up.” The primary reason why you’re so happy it goes well is so you get to keep doing it. Two initial goals: Finish college and build the band. – The band started in 8th grade for a talent show. “We wanted to get on the road, scrape our knee, and build to sustain. It was never about money; it was about gaining ground.  Moving forward, progressing.” The first word to describe Marc from other members of the band: “Leader.” – What it means to be a leader of creative people… The stages of Marc’s leadership: 1st Stage: Driven completely by the vision of wanting to make music out wandering the world.  “I wanted to make these songs because they made me feel good.  I wanted to be out with my friends and empower each other.” 2nd Stage: “It becomes our vision.” – “You may no longer provide the best leadership, so you need to empower people in your camp to lead.  In order to be in the drier seat, you have to know what other people’s superpowers are so each one can flourish.  3rd Stage: Chris (the drummer) – He nudged the group forward to a rebirth.  Became motivated to get back in the driver seat and now he had amazing co-pilots who had their own creative genius.  “Realize the powers of those around you and harness that. That was the afterburners for us.  It’s built out of mutual respect and admiration for each other.”  “Being a leader has to show that things aren’t always going to go great.  You must maintain, be composed, don’t flail your arms around.  Move forward.” Respectful disagreement:  How to decide which song to open with at Madison Square Garden… How to make decisions through disagreement?  “I know when I’m wrong, I know when I’m right too.  Good ideas… It’s a self-filtering system.  You have to listen, be open to others.  In that moment, it was perfect.” “A part of leadership is knowing when you’re wrong and when the other idea is better and move on.” “When one of your heroes is standing next to you and says, “I really like this,” that impacts you.  “I was wrong and wasn’t thinking of the big picture. It was selfish.” How to handle people who don’t like your work? Story: Opening for Dave Matthews Band at The Gorge – The entire front row turned their back in protest of the opening act.  “I get angry.  My new goal was to get them to turn around.  It’s a lesson: You can either get hurt or say, “I get to play my songs at the Gorge.  Eventually they will respect us.” Giving a TED Talk: Authenticity – Being real, true to yourself.  “Everything I’ve created has stemmed from a few nostalgic pin-pointed childhood memories. I’ve tried to build my whole life to tell those stories of what we can do when we’re together.”  Fans for Life: “We were living a life we’ve dreamt of.” The resistance of chasing approval of others – “That theme is rooted in unabashedly telling a story about where you come from.  Sticking to the same morals we were instille