The Soundtrack of Leadership
I've always loved music. The funny thing is, I don't play an instrument. My karaoke skills are mediocre at best, and I can't read a note of sheet music. But I've always appreciated the role music plays in our lives.
I grew up studying with music in the background. I love finding the perfect songs for our annual year-in-review videos. And every once in a while, after something significant happens in my life, I catch myself wondering...
"If this were a movie, what song would be playing right now?"
Music has an incredible ability to evoke emotion, bring back memories, and shape the way we experience a moment. But lately, I've been thinking about music differently. In addition to what it does, to us, I’m fascinated by what it can teach us. So much so, that we have decided to make it the theme for our 2027 MIBE Summit. There are so many leadership lessons hidden in a great song or performance and we are excited to use that as the vehicle to inspire all of you who attend.
Anthony and family listening to live music from Sister Hazel
Think about a band, it works because every musician knows their role. The drummer keeps the rhythm. The bass player creates the foundation. The guitarist adds texture. The vocalist carries the melody. Individually, each part might sound incomplete. Together, they create something beautiful.
Leadership works the same way. Great teams don't need everyone doing the same thing. They need people who understand their strengths, trust one another, and know when to step forward and when to support someone else.
Music also teaches us to listen. The best musicians aren't simply waiting for their turn to play. They're constantly listening and adjusting to everyone around them. How often do we do that as leaders?
There are different genres of music, just as there are different leadership styles. Some are bold and energetic. Others are thoughtful and understated. One isn’t necessarily better than another. What matters is whether they connect with the people they're trying to lead.
And perhaps most importantly, every musician is playing toward the same song. Individual talent is important, but without a shared purpose, all you have is noise.
Every organization has a soundtrack. Some sound chaotic. Some sound disconnected. Some sound joyful. Some sound collaborative. And some are so aligned that everyone knows exactly what they're trying to create together.
As leaders, we're all conductors in one way or another. We set the tempo. We help people find their place. We bring different talents together in pursuit of something bigger than any one person could accomplish alone. So I think it’s worth pondering; If someone listened to your team for a day, what would they hear?
