A reminder that no star shines alone. Behind every spotlight is a team - the quiet rhythm, the steady harmony, the unseen hands that make the magic happen. This one’s for them.
On Friday night, I was at the Seebühne Bremen for a tribute concert to Phil Collins and Genesis. How I got the tickets is a story for another time... but I’m so glad I did. For a brief moment, as Jürgen Mayer took the stage and delivered those legendary songs, I forgot that the real Phil Collins no longer performs.
The setting was close to perfect: a balmy summer evening, the Weser glistening in the background, and the crowd swaying to the rhythm of the music. It was one of those beautiful moments where everything just feels right! Somewhere between “Invisible Touch” and “In the Air Tonight,” while Jürgen Mayer had us all wrapped around his mic, even walking with us during “I Can’t Dance”, my thoughts drifted. I started thinking about what it actually takes to bring a night like this to life. Because while the spotlight was on the singer, the real magic was in everything behind him. No star can shine alone. Behind every performance is an invisible network of people. The ones setting up the stage. The technicians managing the sound and lights. The teams selling tickets, checking wristbands, keeping the crowd safe. People filing permits, sorting logistics, coordinating timings, preparing food stalls, and yes, even those making sure the toilets work.
The more I thought about it, the clearer it became: that idea doesn’t just apply to concerts. It’s true in business, in events, in any kind of creative or leadership work. The “main act” may be visible, but the success is always shared. No matter how talented the star, no one shines without others making it possible. Friday night was a tribute to Phil Collins.
But for me, it was also a quiet tribute to the unsung heroes behind the scenes. The ones who make the show happen, but rarely take a bow.
Because truly...no star can shine alone.
