How Your Leadership Is Like a Song

And What To Do To Make It Connect

“I’ve always thought of leadership like music. No matter who’s singing the song, the words and message don’t change, but a different version can change the experience.”

That’s the gem of an insight one of my group coaching clients shared in our session recently.

Based on my personal experience as a classically trained singer, that insight got me thinking.

How I could use the metaphor to help me be more effective as a leader? And, how could I shift my style to connect with, inspire, and lead differently?

My Music “Tastes” As a Young Opera Singer

When I was studying opera, and for a time when I was singing professionally, I had very definite tastes and opinions when it came to the “best” singers.  

Usually, it was the first singer I heard sing a role that stuck with me the most. They then became the “best,” in my opinion.  

For me, the best soprano was Maria Callas, and I couldn’t understand it when my friends and colleagues would gush over Renata Tebaldi or Montserrat Caballe.  

My opera values and beliefs were steadfast and unchanging, and it perhaps kept me from appreciating some very beautiful and powerful performances. (I’m guessing you can make the leap and extend the metaphor to my leadership role.)

Song Covers - Another Tangible Metaphor

In 1962, Bob Dylan published and released his song “Blowin’ in the Wind”.  

The song was an instant hit with a small group of his existing fans.  

“Blowin’ in the Wind” has been recorded (or covered) by hundreds of other artists, most notably Stevie Wonder, Janis Ian, Marlene Dietrich (in German), and Anne Murray. All of those covers were extremely successful.  

The version by Dylan’s contemporaries, Peter, Paul and Mary was a chart hit for years and made them and Dylan millions of dollars.

While the words and music stayed the same, each cover version reached a different audience and resonated differently depending on who was listening.

Accessing the “Cover Version” of Leadership

As I matured in my leadership role, I learned how to listen differently.  

That helped me realize during critical moments of my career that different team members and colleagues could access my ideas, values and beliefs, depending on how I “sang my (leadership) song.”  

Some colleagues needed a slower tempo. Some needed the acoustic version rather than the driving rock-and-roll beat. And some needed me to sing it in their language, rather than my own.

And just as I listened over and over to opera recordings in order to absorb the music, some colleagues need to be exposed to ideas multiple times to feel comfortable.  

My leadership values and beliefs didn’t change over time, or by circumstance. But, the way I present them can create a different atmosphere, environment, and can open deeper conversations.

How Can You Sing a “Cover Version” of Your Leadership?

A published piece of music has a melody, words, the dynamics, and other singing notes. As a leader you need to understand those parts of your leadership song.  

What are your values and beliefs (your words and music)?  

Which parts of your leadership are flexible, and which are more consistent (the dynamics)?

What parts of your leadership are non-negotiable (the message)?  

Once you understand those things, you can sing a different version of your leadership to connect with, inspire, and collaborate with your teams and colleagues more effectively.

If you are exploring your leadership values and beliefs or wish to discover the cover versions of your leadership, having a thought partner can help. As a coach who helps leaders connect their passions and values to a successful leadership career, I’m happy to help you fine tune your plan of action. Reach out here to schedule a free strategy session.