Carry that weight: Entrepreneurial teams, creativity and conflict in the Beatles

This paper examines creativity and conflict in the Beatles. Building on the theory of entrepreneurial teams, the paper shows that even in the most creative group settings leadership is required to sustain creativity over time. Initially, restless determination and creativity can compensate for a lack of leadership but eventually an absence of leadership can mean that conflict is not resolved. The pre-Epstein Beatles years can be characterised as lacking real organisational leadership but was compensated by drive and the focal point of de facto leader John. The Epstein years brought strategic direction and leadership, while the post-Epstein years saw a disintegration of leadership, with others, particularly Paul, trying to fill the gap after Epstein’s death. In the end, entrepreneurial teams cannot sustain their creativity without effective leadership. Evidence from the Beatles career, particularly the Get Back sessions, are used to demonstrate how leadership is required, even among highly creative groups.