In the next room, my bass-playing husband rehearses with Kevin Borich and Gil Matthews for a three-gig run next week: twenty songs and only one rehearsal. I like to think of it as a private performance, just for me ☺ It isn’t really, but it makes me smile as I work on this newsletter with my Apple watch continually sending me messages indicating my hearing is at risk.
I consider it a privilege to listen to the professional musicians who rehearse at our studio. I’m not just talking about the music, which is great; I’m talking about their conversations and the teamwork that gets them where they want to go.
The hallmark of exceptional musicians extends beyond technical proficiency to encompass qualities that elevate their teamwork and leadership. While armed with a musical map such as a score or chart, live performances are inherently unpredictable. Recognising this reality, elite musicians demonstrate adaptability by seamlessly improvising with unexpected notes, introducing deviations that steer the ensemble into captivating directions. Their ability to make real-time adjustments in response to evolving circumstances generates the electrifying energy characteristic of live performances.
Similarly, effective leaders exhibit this capacity for adaptability. They possess a deep understanding of the current situation, maintain a repertoire of immediate strategies, effortlessly compose new approaches using a diverse set of tools and resources, adeptly handle unforeseen challenges, and are capable of adjusting their tactics and mindset at a moment's notice.
"Music and leadership are about connecting on a deeper level, where the conductor or leader not only guides but also inspires and transforms." - Leonard Bernstein
And for an encore, have you heard:
Sylvester Stallone, Lou Ferrigno, and Arnold Schwarzenegger walk into a bar and discuss who they would play in the new Hollywood Blockbuster “The Great Composers”!
"I wanna be Beethoven," said Stallone.
"I’ve gotta be Mozart," retorted Ferrigno.
"What about you, Arnie?" they asked....
“I’m not going to say it….”
AMPLIFY Your Voice
Exposing employees to the minds of musicians, artists, and actors encourages out-of-the-box, creative and adaptive ways of thinking that enrich development and performance.
As a catalyst for leadership development and working with some of Australia’s eminent musicians, Aberrant’s AMPLIFY Your Voice Program places participants in an immersive experience that re-creates the complex, emergent conditions leaders face. Participants face the assumptions and forces shaping their leadership in an unfamiliar environment. Gaining new insight, they develop a greater capacity for leading, collaborating, and being present, clear and confident in communicating with others.
Find your voice...
Schedule a free 30-minute exploratory discussion with Desley Lodwick here.
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