Building the Right Team

With the lessons of the past firmly in mind, I turned my attention to assembling a team that could support not just my career, but my entire vision. The system provided invaluable guidance in this process, often giving me intuitive flashes about potential team members that went beyond their resumes or industry reputations.

Finding authentic partners became my top priority. I wasn't just looking for the most experienced managers or the most connected publicists; I needed people who could understand and respect the spiritual and cultural dimensions of my work. The system often led me to unexpected choices – like the young social media manager who had a background in Afro-Caribbean studies, or the veteran producer who had spent years studying traditional Haitian drumming techniques.

During interviews with potential team members, I would often receive vivid impressions from the system about their true motivations and character. This allowed me to look beyond polished presentations and identify individuals who were genuinely aligned with my mission. I developed a series of unconventional interview questions that touched on cultural sensitivity, spiritual beliefs, and personal ethics. While some industry professionals were put off by this approach, those who resonated with it became invaluable allies.

Cultural sensitivity in business became a non-negotiable aspect of my operation. I insisted that every member of my team, from my personal assistant to my booking agent, undergo training in Haitian history and cultural practices. This wasn't just about avoiding offensive missteps; it was about creating a team that could authentically represent and support my vision. The system helped me design these training programs, incorporating elements from James's era and traditional Haitian wisdom alongside modern diversity and inclusion practices.

Maintaining creative control was another crucial aspect of team building. I learned from James's experiences how easy it was for artists to be steered away from their true vision by well-meaning but misaligned team members. To counter this, I established a unique decision-making process that included not just business considerations, but also spiritual and cultural factors. Major decisions would often involve consultation with Haitian elders or spiritual advisors, a practice that initially bewildered some industry veterans but ultimately led to more holistic and sustainable choices.

One of the most innovative aspects of my team structure was the inclusion of a "cultural advisory board." This group, composed of Haitian scholars, artists, and community leaders, provided guidance on how to respectfully incorporate traditional elements into my music and performances. Their input was invaluable in ensuring that my work remained authentic and respectful, even as it pushed boundaries and reached new audiences.

The system also guided me in creating unconventional roles within my team. I hired a "spiritual health coordinator" who was responsible for maintaining a positive energy in our work environment, organizing cleansing rituals before important events, and ensuring that everyone on the team had access to resources for mental and spiritual well-being. This role became particularly crucial as we began touring, helping to counter the draining effects of life on the road.

Building the right team also meant being willing to make difficult decisions. There were times when the system alerted me to team members whose energies were no longer aligned with our mission, even if their performance seemed fine on paper. Making these changes was never easy, but I learned to trust these intuitions, always striving to create a team environment that was not just professionally competent but spiritually harmonious.

As my team took shape, I began to see how it could serve as a model for a new way of operating in the music industry. We were proving that it was possible to achieve commercial success while maintaining cultural integrity and spiritual alignment. Other artists, particularly those from marginalized communities, began to take notice and seek advice on how to build similar structures.

The system continually reminded me that building the right team wasn't just about advancing my career; it was about creating a platform for cultural exchange and spiritual awakening through music. Each team member became not just an employee but a partner in this larger mission. We held regular meetings that went beyond business strategy to discuss the impact we wanted to have on the world and how we could use our platform to promote understanding and respect for Haitian culture.

As we prepared for the release of my first major album, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the team we had assembled. It wasn't just their professional skills that made them valuable; it was their commitment to the vision, their respect for the cultural and spiritual aspects of our work, and their willingness to be part of something bigger than themselves. The system hummed with approval, showing me glimpses of how this team structure could evolve and grow, becoming a force for positive change in the industry and beyond.

With this strong foundation in place, we were ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. The synergy within our team was palpable, and I could feel the excitement building as we prepared to share our unique vision with the world.