Breaking Through: Sylvia Rhone of Electra Records
The music industry has been traditionally
characterized as a 14 billion
dollar a year, white-male dominated
business. That had been
largely true until Sylvia Rhone was
elevated to the position of Chair and
CEO of Elektra Records. She is a single
mother who can't sing or play music and started in
the business as a $12,000 per year secretary.
While at Elektra, Rhone had the best years for hit
records of any music company. In her first two years
at the company, revenue tripled and in the third
year, will go even higher. What makes her successful,
according to experts in the industry, is that she has
an instinct for what is marketable. Rhone herself
characterizes herself as someone who has "guts" and
is willing to take risks. Sometimes you win, and other
times you lose, she says.
She has left her successful years at Elektra Records
behind. She is now an executive with Motown
Records. No doubt, her instincts and guts will serve
her new company well.
Discussion Questions
How does Sylvia Rhone reduce uncertainty?
What type of leader do you think Sylvia Rhone is?
Of the four types of leadership approaches, which
is most applicable to Rhone?
