One of the reasons the public is obsessed with Harry and Meghan is that they represent an important economic trend that resonates well beyond the British royal family: the rising tension between individual branding and the power and prestige of being part of an institution. And it’s not just the royals; it’s an issue for all industries.
In the past, if money and security and status were what you craved, your path was clear: You got a job at the most prestigious institution you could and became a valuable team player. This meant giving up some part of your identity. You wouldn’t be well-known to people outside your field, or probably even within the company. To a large extent, this was the relic of the last stage of industrialization — The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit era. Back then, stars were for the movies, and office work involved keeping your head down and dedicating yourself to the advancement of the institution. In exchange for your fealty, you received a small share of the institution’s success and prestige.
This has reversed in our current economy. There are fewer movie stars but more high-profile people in all the other industries. For the film industry it was a symbiotic relationship that relied on stars to pull people into theaters. But the dynamic is causing problems for other industries because it creates tension between being a star and being a good institutional team player.
