Cirque du Soleil's Daniel Lamarre on How to Put Creativity at the Center of Your Strategy

Daniel Lamar, the executive vice chairman of Cirque du Soleil, emphasizes the importance of creativity in business during a recent discussion. He reflects on his journey with the company, which transformed from a group of street performers into a global entertainment powerhouse. Lamar highlights the unique blend of circus, dance, and theater that defines Cirque du Soleil, noting that its success stems from creating a new category of entertainment, as described in the Blue Ocean Strategy.

Lamar advocates for nurturing creativity within organizations, arguing that it is essential for survival in a competitive market. He shares insights from his experiences, including the need for an environment that fosters innovation and the importance of listening to both customers and employees. He also discusses the challenges of maintaining relevance in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the company to adapt and innovate to survive.

The conversation touches on the creative process behind new shows, the significance of brand integrity, and the necessity of taking risks. Lamar encourages professionals across various industries to prioritize creativity, asserting that it is a universal asset that can drive success regardless of the field. As Cirque du Soleil continues to explore new technologies and platforms, including the metaverse, Lamar remains committed to balancing live performances with innovative digital content.

Cirque du Soleil's Daniel Lamarre on How to Put Creativity at the Center of Your Strategy

12 May 2022

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“There is no excuse. Creativity has to be at the forefront.” If you don't do that, one day you will wake up and discover your competitors have an edge on you, and then you're in trouble.

Daniel Lamarre is the executive vice chairman of Cirque du Soleil, a position he took after serving for nearly two decades as the circus and entertainment company's president and CEO. He is the author of, Balancing Acts: Unleashing the Power of Creativity in Your Life and Work, which describes how others can unleash Cirque's creative management techniques, even if they’re not in the business of clowns and acrobats.

HBR editor in chief Adi Ignatius sat down with Lamarre in this episode of our video series “The New World of Work” to talk about:

• Reviving the company after a disastrous Covid-inflicted shutdown of Cirque’s operations and painful layoffs. • His decision to leave a comfortable position as TV network CEO to “run away” and join the circus, and what it taught him about being true to his own values and ambitions. • The surprisingly analytical side of Cirque, which relentlessly tweaks and perfects its show formulas based on continuous audience feedback.

This interview part of a series called “The New World of Work,” which explores how top-tier executives see the future and how their companies are trying to set themselves up for success. Each week, HBR Editor Adi Ignatius will interview a leader on LinkedIn Live — and then share an inside look at those conversations and solicit questions for future discussions in a newsletter just for HBR subscribers. If you’re a subscriber, you can sign up for the newsletter here: https://hbr.org/my-library/preferences?movetile=newworldofwork.

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