“Where you from?” people asked, as I trekked through the mountains of Nepal.
“Jamaica.” I replied, and then added, noting the blank stares that indicated that they had no idea what or where Jamaica was: “Bob Marley.”
“Ah Bob Marley!” accompanied by a bright smile of recognition, and sometimes even a rendition of one of his songs.
As I had trekked through the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, there were signs along the way that said: “Buddha was born in Nepal.” But increasingly I had begun to wonder if I might also come upon signs that said: “Bob Marley was born in Nepal” for I kept seeing his image in the most unlikely of places:
- At the Swayambhunath Temple, the 2nd most important temple in Nepal, on a vendor’s tray of beads was written: “Rastafari in the name of B. Marley”
- On my way down from the Temple, a photo display on the wall of Bob Marley (and Che)
- On a bus ride, a panel trucked emblazoned with his image and “One Love” zipped past
- At Muktinath, a town 3,800m above sea level, I stayed at the Bob Marley Hotel and Restaurant. The hotel reeked Bob Marley, including even Bob Marley-branded water!
- On our way from Kalopani to Tatopani, there popped up another Bob Marley restaurant
- An artist displaying his work at one of our rest stops – the Buddha, ordinary Nepalese and Bob
- In Kathmandu, a roadside display of printed textiles – and there was Bob!
- Why does this man, transitioned from this life almost 40 years ago, endure in every nook and cranny in the world? Wherever I travel as a Jamaican, everyone seems to know and love Bob Marley, but Nepal surely takes the cake. It got me thinking about many things – including how we build our brand as leaders – might we find insights from Bob? I gleaned 2 lessons:
- A message that is consistent and clear, repeated over and over: Peace, love, unity. His protest songs were a call to “come together and work things out” and of course, his songs of love resonate with oneness and unity, no better expressed than in “One Love” – “Let’s get together and feel all right”. His lyrics were simple and repetitive, so that halfway through the song, you find yourself singing along.Think about your own message:
- How clear is it to you and others?
- Are you consistent with your message in word and action?
- Is your message simple or complex, and how easily remembered?
- Does your team, and those with whom you come in contact, often repeat your message?
- Focus on the now. Bob never set out to build a brand or leave a legacy. He was extremely prolific in his short life, penning over 200 songs and doing almost 300 tours. He just sang his truth, emphasising now important it is to “wake up and live”. He once said in an interview:
“The people who are trying to make this world worse are not taking the day off. Why should I?”As a leader, concern yourself with your actions now as there is no day off. Work on how you lead your team, the quality of the relationships you build every day and the integrity with which you live your life. Surely this quote by Bob is the essence of strong, powerful and enduring leadership:“Live for yourself and you will live in vain; Live for others, and you will live again”
- A message that is consistent and clear, repeated over and over: Peace, love, unity. His protest songs were a call to “come together and work things out” and of course, his songs of love resonate with oneness and unity, no better expressed than in “One Love” – “Let’s get together and feel all right”. His lyrics were simple and repetitive, so that halfway through the song, you find yourself singing along.Think about your own message:
Insightful and enlightening.
Thanks Wesley. It was an enlightening experience, that really got me musing.
Gratefully and joyfully
Marguerite
Thanks for sharing Marguerite. Really enjoyed the pictures. It always amazes me how one man from a tiny island touched so many lives. But as you indicted, his message of peace, love and unity breaks down all barriers.
Thank you Shakira. It never ceases to amaze me when I travel. But I have never seen Bob so revered as in Nepal – totally unexpected.
Gratefully and joyfully
Marguerite
Thanks a lot for Marguerite really enjoyed your company it was pleasure to join you on the trip,it was amazing experience, thanks a lot
And thanks to you Suraj. You led the trip with seeming ease, grace and joy, although I know that it was hard work. It was so great to discover the influence of my fellow Jamaican on your beautiful country. It truly is ONE LOVE.
Gratefully and joyfully
Marguerite
Love, love, love the Bob Marley in Nepal blog!
Thanks Sharon. I loved discovering Bob in Nepal, and mulling on what he means to the world, and what we can learn.
Gratefully and joyfully
Marguerite
Thank you for this. I had had the same experience all over the world concerning Bob Marley. Your comments about building your Brand ares spot on. Thank you.
Thanks for commenting Aloun. I had just never seen Bob Marley so embedded as in Nepal …. like the nooks and crannies 3,800m above sea level in the Himalayas, in a village with no road … go figure.
Gratefully and joyfully
Marguerite
Hi Marguerite – Great article and fascinating that Bob Marley would still be so popular in Nepal! Great words to live by!