Daniel Lamarre of Cirque du Soleil: Making Creativity Your Strategic Advantage

Daniel Lamarre, the visionary leader behind Cirque du Soleil's global success, shares his journey of nurturing one of the most innovative entertainment companies in the world. As President and CEO, Lamarre explores how his blend of creative leadership and business acumen has fostered innovation and led to the creation of some of the most mesmerizing performances seen around the world.

In this episode of the Culture Leaders Podcast, Daniel delves into the ethos of Cirque du Soleil, revealing the core principles that drive the company’s culture of creativity and excellence. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of leading a global creative powerhouse and the importance of maintaining a human-centric approach in business.

Join us for this inspiring episode as Daniel Lamarre shares his unique perspective on leadership, the dynamics of creativity and innovation, and his dedication to transforming Cirque du Soleil into a beacon of artistic and entrepreneurial excellence.

Segmented Timestamps

• 00:00 - Introduction to Daniel Lamarre and his impact at Cirque du Soleil.

• 01:35 - Lamarre's motivation for creating artistic jobs.

• 02:15 - Influence of sports and arts on Lamarre's leadership.

• 03:41 - Adapting to Cirque's unique corporate culture.

• 06:00 - Leadership approach: Mobilizing rather than directing.

• 08:29 - Evaluating creative ideas for financial viability.

• 10:15 - Balancing artistic integrity with financial success.

• 12:02 - Integrating technology in performance art.

• 14:19 - Leadership adaptability and management evolution.

• 16:10 - Building a team aligned with Cirque’s vision.

• 18:25 - Managing global expansion and maintaining cultural ethos.

• 20:02 - Decision-making during COVID-19 challenges.

• 22:54 - Maintaining morale and creativity during crises.

• 25:21 - Future projects and artistic collaborations under Lamarre’s leadership.

Notable Quotes

"My purpose is definitely to create jobs for artists. I have the luxury of offering jobs to more than 2,000 artists, and I'm so proud of it." - Daniel Lamarre

"You cannot come while there is a rehearsal and dictate... Your job is much more to mobilize people." - Daniel Lamarre

"We like to say at Cirque du Soleil that the star is the show, which means we should all keep our ego at the door... and convince everybody else that you are there to serve the ultimate artistic content, which is the show." - Daniel Lamarre

"If you're not able to be agile as an organization and if you're not able to be cohesive as an organization, you will just not survive." - Daniel Lamarre

USEFUL LINKS

Reach Daniel at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lamarre-b84ab5150/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellamarreflash/?next=%2F 

GET MORE FROM THE CULTURE LEADERS PODCAST

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Culture Partners LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ 

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