Dear Lin

We've been sitting on this one for a little while, ever since coming across Lin-Manuel Miranda's beautiful tribute to Stephen Sondheim, and Hamilton's 10 year anniversary on Broadway.

Today, this exchange feels more relevant than ever. A reminder that in a world obsessed with speed and optimisation, the greatest things still take time. They're born from messy drafts, endless questions, experimentation and vulnerable conversations. Years of chipping away at something with no guarantees or clear road map.

There's a bigger conversation to be had about where modern technology fits into all of this, but for today, in the spirit of slow, long weekends... Settle in with a cup of coffee for an exchange between two of theatre's greats.

Now, you've probably heard of Hamilton.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's genre-defying, award-winning hip-hop musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton. If you haven't, you've just landed some homework - a recommendation for the Easter break 😉 The original Broadway production is currently available to watch on Disney+.

Once you've recovered from the sheer genius of it (and yes, we are fully-fledged super fans at Mojo HQ), the story of how it came to be is even more fascinating.

It took Lin seven years to write the show, at one point spending an entire year on a single song. Seven years of blank pages, dead ends and late nights. Along the way, he began sharing his progress with his hero, Stephen Sondheim, widely regarded as the greatest musical theatre writer who ever lived.

Sondheim passed away in November 2021, and last year, ahead of what would have been his 95th birthday, Lin shared a small glimpse of their mentorship: a chain of emails and letters over the years which came to shape one of the most original musicals ever written.

Imagine how it would have felt to receive such interest and encouragement from one of your greatest role models? Right in the middle of something you weren't sure would ever be finished.

The creative process can be a lonely one for any artist, Sondheim knew that first-hand, not to mention the value of humour and humility.

What we love most about this exchange is the clear display of 'I to We' leadership.

At Mojo, we see leadership as a mindset rather than a position or title.

It's not about having all the answers, hoarding expertise, or waiting until you've 'made it' to feel worthy of contribution. It's about inviting curiosity, offering honest support, and creating the conditions for someone else to reach their potential. Shifting from ‘What can I achieve?’ to ‘What can I make possible for others?’ is where things get really interesting.

Sondheim was a master of this.

He'd been shaped himself by the great Oscar Hammerstein II, who quietly nurtured his early years as a writer and composer. Sondheim often spoke of his work with the next generation as a way of repaying his debt to Hammerstein. The gift was one to pass along.

Hamilton went on to win 11 Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Grammy, and became one of the most celebrated musicals ever written. It's been performed all over the world - we even had the privilege of working with the Australian cast during COVID, when theatres went dark. (Shoutout to the brilliant Michael Cassel for looking out for the next generation of storytellers, another leadership legacy in action). Knowing that compassionate leadership helped to bring this show to life makes it all the more special.

The greatest legacies are rooted in human connection.

It's how we share our stories, and make it possible for others to tell theirs. And it happens on every scale. Don't underestimate how far a little interest goes: a question, a note, an hour of your time with someone who needs a sounding board.

Leadership is about creating an environment for someone else to reach their potential. It has nothing to do with having all the answers.

We all start somewhere. Learning to poach an egg, kick a ball, pitch an idea, close a deal, write a musical. The list goes on.

Every single one of us faces a blank page, and we need each other every step of the way.

Ready for more?

Dive into our Becoming a Leader program, designed to meet you exactly where you are in your leadership journey.