U2 & US Navy In The Same Post

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This is an interesting find. The US Navy drawing inspiration from U2. You will find the U2 section of the Navy's journal clipped and posted after this article. 


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Source: Michael Lee Stallard
Published: July 15th, 2010

The US Navy and U2 in the same article! Huh?

That’s right.  It’s true. Check it out for yourself.

The Leader to Leader Institute just posted an article on its website that Jason Pankau and I wrote for the Summer edition of the Leader to Leader Journal. The article features the stories of the US Navy’s former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Vern Clark, and Bono, the lead singer of the rock band U2.  The article is about the topic of connecting with “core employees” to boost strategic alignment, employee engagement, productivity and innovation.  Here is a link to the article entitled “To Boost Performance, Connect with the Core.”

The Leader to Leader Institute was founded by the late Peter Drucker and is headed by Frances Hesselbein, two individuals whom Jason and I respect and admire for their competence, character and positive contributions to society.  The Institute was formed to promote strong leadership in the social sector. Jason and I support the Institute’s work by sharing our work and ideas related to Connection Cultures.  Recently the Institute added Jason and I to its Thought Leaders Gateway and last week I filmed a video interview for the Leader to Leader Institute’s Leadership Dialogues website.  The interview was about the importance of connection to human beings and how many leaders sabotage themselves by not investing time to connect with other human beings.  The interview was conducted by another thought leader whose work we admire, Mark Thompson.

HERE IS THE FULL U2 SECTION FROM THE JOURNAL: (Read the entire post  by clicking here.)

Connecting U2

The principles we are discussing are equally important in a smaller, less hierarchical organization. Consider something completely different from the military: a rock band. 

U2 has been awarded a remarkable 22 Grammy awards, more than any band in history. The band consists of four musicians who have known each other since they were teenagers in Dublin, Ireland: lead singer Bono, lead guitar player “Edge,” bass guitar player Adam Clayton, and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. These guys have been together for more than 30 years when most other bands eventually fall apart, often because one member becomes recognized as the star and the resulting disconnection breaks down the group. Not so with U2. Bono is clearly the band’s megastar but the Vision, Value, and Voice bridges are in place and his fellow band members feel like partners rather than his supporting cast.

The Vision Bridge

Bono has articulated a clear vision of U2, including its mission and core values. U2’s mission is to improve the world through its music and influence. Bono calls it “the spark.” He feels it sets U2 apart from many other bands. U2’s songs address themes the band members believe are important to promote, such as human rights and social justice. The band values excellence in the music it produces and in its concert performances. Bono has described this value as a desire to achieve the band’s potential. U2’s members value continuous improvement to achieve their own potential, never feeling satisfied that they can’t become even better. Another core value of the band is that its members value one another, and this has established the Value Bridge.

The Value Bridge

Bono further unites the members of U2 by appreciating their strengths. Bono has said that although he hears melodies in his head, he is unable to transfer them into written music. Considering himself a “lousy guitar player and an even lousier piano player,” he relies on his fellow band members and recognizes that they are integral to his success. To Bono, U2 is “the best example of how to rely on others.” 

Bono describes U2 as a tight-knit family and community.

Like all human beings, the members of U2 have experienced difficult periods in their lives. These experiences have shaped them in important ways. Bono’s mother died when he was 14 years old. Bono describes the period following her death as one in which he felt alone and abandoned. Although he longed for the emotional support of a family, his grief-stricken father was unable to comfort him. Having experienced what it was like to suffer alone, when Larry Mullen’s mother died when he was 16 years old, Bono reached out to console him. This began a close, supportive friendship. When Edge went through a difficult divorce, the band members were there to support him. When Adam Clayton became addicted to alcohol and drugs, the band members reached out to help him recover. Bono has stated that when one of the band members is in need, the band rallies around to support him and they put that need above the performance of the band. It’s no wonder that one of U2’s most popular songs is entitled, “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own.” 

The most dramatic example of this came when U2 campaigned during the 1980s for the observance of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day in America. Bono received a death threat that warned him not to sing the song “Pride (In the Name of Love),” a song about the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at an upcoming concert. Bono described in an interview that as he sang the song, he closed his eyes. At the end of a verse when he opened his eyes Bono discovered Adam Clayton literally standing in front of him to shield him from potential harm. 

Bono describes U2 as a tight-knit family and community. He has said, “People with a strong sense of family and community . . . are always very strong people.” The commitment to support one another extends beyond the four members of the band. The members of U2 are part of a larger community that includes their families, crew members, and collaborators. Many of them have known each other for decades. 

The economic profits from U2’s work are split equally between the four band members and their long-time manager Paul McGuiness. That might surprise some. Given Bono’s status as a megastar, it would not be inconceivable if he claimed more than an equal share of the band’s profits. What better way to show your team members that you value them than to treat them and their unique contribution as economic equals?

The Voice Bridge

U2 is further unified by its participative, consensus oriented decision-making style. The members of U2 argue relentlessly over their music, which reflects their passion for excellence. Bono has stated that this approach is frustrating at times but that U2 feels it is necessary to achieve excellence. Everybody has a voice to express ideas and opinions.

Bono Investing in Facebook

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Source: Limelife.com
Published: July 1st, 2010

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Does Bono's investment seem odd?

Bono is known to be an incredible philanthropist, but apparently his investing instincts aren't quite as solid. We've learned that the legendary U2frontman is pumping approximately $120 million into Facebook...and not only is it silly, it's controversial!

Facebook currently hosts more than 400 million users worldwide and is valued at $11.5 billion dollars. In June the social networking mega-site acquired a newphoto-sharing service that's expected to elevate its prominence even further.

Perhaps that's why Bono and his investment company,Elevation Partners, are becoming involved. It's reported Bono is investing 80 million British pounds, or roughly $120 million, into Facebook. He'd previously held 60 million British pounds worth of shares, and apparently he sees even more promise in the company so he got hold of the coveted stock on the secondary market.

However, Perez Hilton's noting that Facebook's privacy issues and content at large have created sticky moral dilemmas for its investors -- Bono's one of the last people we thought we'd see getting active! Perez is also reporting that Bono isn't exactly known for his investing brains. Reports Perez, "He was named Worst Investor in America by [the] Wall Street Journal after putting in £312.5 million into debt-riddled cellphone maker Palm Inc."

Will Facebook sustain itself that much longer for Bono to see a return on his $210 million investment? Or do you think he should've put his cash toward something more meaningful? Leave us a comment below.

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• Elevation Invests Another $120 Million in Facebook as that IPO Looks More Distant (e1evation.com)

U2 in Australia in December?

Tweet Source: TripleM.com
Published: June 25th, 2010
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U2 Aussie Tour For December? Dave-O 25 June, 2010 - 11:36 AM

(Photo: Getty Images)

Here's some good news for U2 fans. Sources have revealed that U2 will bring their 360° tour to Australia in December.

The Music Network said the band will officially confirm the news we've all been waiting for when they announce new dates of their cancelled US tour.

U2’s manager Paul McGuinness told one newspaper, "We've nearly done it (rearrange the dates) so I hope we'll be able to announce that shortly."

Not that we're one to brag (oh, what the heck, maybe we are) but as we reported in August last year, U2 have always been scheduled to tour here in December (see the amazing footage from their world tour above). So it looks like their cancelled US tour hasn't really affected when we were always going to see them.

This week, McGuiness said that Bono was “making a full recovery, he’s pretty fit” and he confirmed that their European tour will begin in Turin, Italy on August 6.

Bono In Recovery: Latest Photos

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The amazing people at @U2NT posted some great new pics of Bono with Lance Armstrong & family. Bono looks good in many of the pics, but is it me, or does he just look tired? I can't imagine what it's like to recover from back surgery, but it can't be easy.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE THEM:

U2- LARRY ADAM EDGE BONO--NOW & THEN!'s Photos - Bono in recovery, latest photos

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• Bono In France With Lance! (perezhilton.com)

Bono and Lance Armstrong: Just weeks after his surgery

Tweet Source: U2Tourfans
Published: June 10, 2101

A few weeks after undergoing emergency surgery, which put the North American leg of the U2 tour on hold, Bono is recovering in his luxury villa in the French Riviera – with a little help from friends.

After meeting pals for lunch in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat earlier this week (he drove himself), he has also spent time with Lance Armstrong, who is in the country for a bike race.

“Lunch with an old friend,” Lance tweeted on Thursday, posting a photo of himself with the Irish rocker in front of a very scenic backdrop.

Bono, looking quite tired, is holding a wine glass and has his arm around Lance’s pregnant girlfriend, Anna Hansen, while Lance holds their son, Max.

The rock star, who was released from a Munich hospital on May 25, has to spend at least eight weeks doing physical rehabilitation, which put the kibosh on the North American leg of U2’s 360° world tour. The dates will be rescheduled for 2011.

In 2009, U2’s tour grossed just shy of $110 million, making it the year’s most profitable show. 

Bono Says His Kids Are A Pain...

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From US Magazine
Published June, 1, 2010


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As U2 fans all across America dry their eyes after the Irish megaband just announced the cancellation of their big summer tour, there is one glimmer of hope in terms of seeing the show.

Today, the same day they were set to kick of the second leg of their 360 Tour until singer Bono ended up in the hospital for emergency back surgery, the rockers are releasing the last leg as a live DVD, U2 360 At The Rose Bowl.

UsMagazine.com caught up with Bono before he underwent surgery about his recent charity efforts -- and how family is always there for him no matter what. Feel better, my man, and hope to see you back on the road -- and fighting evildoers around the globe -- again soon!

UsMagazine.com: Do you think you've really been able to affect change through your RED organization and all of your charity endavors?

Bono: People have come out. America has come out. People are realizing how easy it is to save a life. At a time when everyone is asking you to put your hand in your pocket and give money, RED doesn't do that. RED has asked companies like Apple to put out a RED iPod. Nike has red laces and LeBron James is wearing them. Loads of people are wearing them. If you buy a coffee at Starbucks and it's REDcoffee, they give some of the profits to buy pills for people who need them. Two pills a day and you're back at work in 40 days from death's door. It's just amazing. I want to plug the companies are doing incredible work. Giorgio Armani does incredible work. My glasses are RED glasses, well they're a kind of orange tint, OK, but they're RED in every other way!

Us: Who else musically has done good out there and inspired you?

Bono: When I was a young man and I was in a tiny little room in the north side of Dublin, I put on headphones and Bob Dylan would whisper all kinds of incendiary things into my ear. And I don't know what it was exactly, but the sense I got from his voice and his songs was that the world doesn't have to be the way the world is and that things could change. They don't have to stay the same. You give it a kick and it might move and we're here giving it a kick.

Us: How do you teach your kids that?

Bono: Oh, you know they're teaching me. My kids are kids are teaching me all the time. I have two girls (Jordan and Memphis Eve) who are both activists. They're a total pain in the ass. If you think I'm a pain in the ass, they're worse. They will not accept that the loss of life that we take as the way things are in these far off places when they know it's so simple to change things. We just have to really want to.

Us: And your wife is...

Bono: My wife is so gorgeous. [I was] going to miss her on the road!

By Ian Drew for UsMagazine.com. To read more of Ian's blog, click here and don't forget to follow him onTwitter.

Get more Us! Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on Facebook, Subscribe to Us Weekly

U2 Rehearsing in Turin in July

Tweet According to U2360 on Facebook, U2 has just booked 15 days in Turin in late July to rehearse for the upcoming leg of U2360.

You can follow the page on Facebook by clicking here.

Picture credit: Mandrake. Click here to see his flickr page

This page also posted pics of Bono leaving the hospital following his back surgery. Take a look and tell me what you think.

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U2.com > News > Bono Discharged from Hospital

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U2.com > News > Bono Discharged from Hospital

Bono has now been discharged from Ludwig Maximilians-University (LMU) Hospital in Munich where he underwent emergency surgery on Friday, following a back injury. In order to fully recover, he is under doctor's orders to start a rehabilitation program and to recuperate for at least eight weeks.

Dr Muller Wohlfahrt confirmed, 'Bono suffered severe compression of the sciatic nerve. On review of his MRI scan, I realized there was a serious tear in the ligament and a herniated disc, and that conservative treatment would not suffice. I recommended Bono have emergency spine surgery with Professor Tonn at Munich's LMU University Hospital on Friday.'

Professor Tonn, who carried out the operation, added, 'Bono was referred to me by Dr Muller Wohlfahrt late last week with a sudden onset disease. He was already in severe pain with partial paralysis in the lower leg. The ligament surrounding the disc had an 8mm tear and during surgery we discovered fragments of the disc had traveled into the spinal canal. This surgery was the only course of treatment for full recovery and to avoid further paralysis. Bono is now much better, with complete recovery of his motor deficit. The prognosis is excellent but to obtain a sustainable result, he must now enter a period of rehabilitation'.

Dr Muller Wohlfahrt continued, 'We are treating Bono as we would treat any of our athletes and while the surgery has gone very well, the coming weeks are crucial for a return to full health. In the next days, he will start a light rehabilitation program, with increasing intensity over the next 8 weeks. In our experience, this is the minimum time.'

Ode to Bono at 50

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Source: TampaBay.com

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Maybe there's something to Bono's God complex after all?

He's the world's biggest rock star in the world's biggest rock band. He's been superheroic in using charm, tact and the rare bipartisan politics in raising millions in the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty.

But that, ladies and gentlemen of the congregation, is nothing compared to today's deifying feat, as Bono thwarts sociological stigma and the very tenets of the space-time continuum …

… and turns 50 years old.

Yep, a half-century ago, in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, Paul Hewson was born, presumably with really cool specs on.

It says a lot about popular culture, and our world in general, that the most virile celebrity in all the land is 50 years old. Heck, the second-most virile is that unfairly handsome rake George Clooney; he's 49. And don't forget Madonna is 51.

For all the nattering about Young Hollywood — your Lindsays, your Mileys, your Biebers — the core of respect, of energy, of ol' fashioned sex appeal currently resides with the Gray Hairs.

(By the way, the fact that I just turned 40 has nothing to do with this hypothesis. Nope. Nada.)

Bono, in many respects, has never been more potent, more Bono-ish, than he is right now. U2's frontman can still sing for sure, that low repentant moan still as vital as his high holy falsetto. And when they want to, the Irish lads can still slay an arena. Most concerts are a party, a night out; U2 shows are an event, the highs of which are life-affirming.

Never mind that, had Bono been born in Dublin, Ohio, he'd officially be eligible for the AARP.

In a large sense, Bono turning the Big Five-Oh is a cause for celebration. However, in assessing the state of rock 'n' roll, it's a bit troubling. U2's last few albums, especially 2009's No Line on the Horizon, have been decidedly so-so, a handful of hits and a whole lot of same-sounding filler.

But more than that, U2 is a rarity, a rock band that also acts as great equalizer. You can be a country fan, a rap fan, a classical fan — but everyone is a U2 fan. As Bono and his mates get older, so does the notion of rock 'n' roll as uplifting communal uniter.

But enough of that.

Let's celebrate, shall we?

Crank Achtung Baby. Donate money to the One charity. Wear your sunglasses inside the house.

Happy 50th, Bono.

It's a Beautiful Day, indeed.

Sean Daly can be reached at sdaly@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8467. His Pop Life column runs every Sunday in Floridian.

Happy 50th Birthday, Bono!

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Source: 3 News
MON, 10 MAY 2010 7:41A.M.

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Bono celebrates his 50th birthday today.

Irish rock star, global humanitarian and knight of the British empire was born Paul David Hewson, May 10, 1960.

He became an internationally famous as the front-man of U2, going by his stage name of Bono.

Formed at Dublin's Temple Mount School in 1978 - the band consists of Bono, guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr.

Now in their fourth decade of music-making, U2 have earned a string of awards, from Grammys to Billboard to Golden Globes, and sold tens of millions of records.

In 2005 the group were inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame - and their critical and commercial success means they are often referred to as "the biggest band in the world."

Off-stage the Dublin-born icon continues to make good on the social issues he sings about and is not shy in admitting that he wants to bring about change in the world:

"Rock stars always want to do two things. They want to have fun and change the world. If you can do both at the same time you're OK," Bono once said.

Bono's long worked as a campaigner against poverty, disease and the spread of AIDS in Africa.

He also has awards to show for this good work - the Legion d'Honneur from France, the Order of Liberty from Portugal, the Liberty Medal from America and his British Knighthood.

When he's not campaigning or performing at a sold out U2 gig, Bono is father to four children - Jordan, Eve, Elijah and John.

He is married to Ali Hewson, who he met at school in Dublin, along with the rest of his bandmates.

APTN