What does great leadership sound like?
Odd question?
Perhaps. But if Leadership is truly an art, then it would make sense that an art form might be an ideal format to communicate the essence of great leadership.
Plus, there’s a lot of noise out there today - it doesn’t seem such a bad thing to share a different kind of sound in the world.
Presenting, then, The Leadership Soundtrack, A-Side and B-Side.
The A-Side comprises a host of (fairly) well-known songs that one way or another give expression to something of fundamental importance when it comes to truly good, effective leadership.
The B-Side also has some (fairly) well-known songs, but the insights and themes are a bit more under the radar - even as they are centrally important to great leadership.
To be sure, none of these songs are specifically about leadership, and many of them have lyrics that are not an ideal fit for the theme of leadership. But… all of them have something essential in the title, verse, and/or general focus that is spot-on for this kind of list.
Enjoy!
(compiled into a Spotify Playlist for your convenience)
The A-Side Tracks
Listen - Beyoncé
Great leadership begins and ends with active listening to our people, our context, and the Voice speaking from within.
Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
Leaders and their organization grow insofar as the leader is willing to grow and change. Change begins (and continues) with the one in the mirror.A Matter of Trust - Billy Joel
Trust is the fundamental currency of effective leadership. With it, anything is possible. Without it, the endeavor is doomed from the start.Better Together - Jack Johnson
Collaboration over control. Curiosity over command. The possibilities of a gifted, diverse team are infinite.Brave - Sara Bareilles
Usually not in the big things, but the small moments of integrity - great leaders make the hard, right decision as best they can with the help of those around them (see the next track). From time to time a whole lot of courage is required, but that muscle is built in the small, brave decisions over time.Help! - The Beatles
Leaders are usually the last to ask for it and the first to need it. Great leaders ask for help - and discover that those invited to help often feel honored and empowered.Holiday - Madonna
Not a bonus. Not something earned once you and everyone else are exhausted from having gone above and beyond (again). Holiday is a Holy Day. A staple. a rhythm. A fundamental key to flourishing as a human being - let alone a leader. Great leaders take their holidays and vacations and weekly rest. And they give that to their team. And guard that for their team.
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Be a goldfish is how Ted Lasso puts it. One way or another great leaders recognize that holding to a truly good-and-important work will attract critics. Have people, spaces, and ways that help shake it off.
The B-Side Tracks
You Gotta Be- Des’ree
It often feels like leaders “gotta be cool…gotta be calm,” and that can be important in the crux of chaos, but the best leadership line from this song? “All I know, all I know, love will save the day.” Yep. The North Star (in all facets of life) should a leader never forget.We Didn’t Start the Fire - Billy Joel
Many aspects of the leader’s wider context began far before a leader arrived and will continue long past their departure. Great leaders recognize the context but they are not overwhelmed by it nor do they spend their time blame-casting about it. They fight the portion they’ve been given and trust the truth of Track 1 on the B-Side.
Days Like This - Van Morrison
By way of their integrity, service, and care, great leaders have the privilege of providing “days like this” for their people. This song serves as something of a vision that leaders seek to provide their people.9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
Related to the theme of good, active listening - great leaders are attentive to the concrete hopes and frustrations of their people. A person truly heard and respected soars.I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
It can take a lot for employees to tell a leader the truth. That can be remedied in a host of ways over the long term (Go back to Listen and Matter of Trust). Because of this, great leaders need a deep awareness of the formal and informal communication channels.1Seasons of Love - Rent
Metrics matter. What gets counted counts. Great leaders find creative ways to measure more than the bottom line, which means they are often great storytellers. Why? Because stories are the best way to measure something as infinite and indescribable as the best metric of all; namely, love.Keep the Fire - Kenny Loggins
Great leaders do whatever it takes to find, nourish, and grow the singular fire of conviction and vision that has been planted within.Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story - The Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton
Great Leaders are mindful of the legacy of their lives and their work. But rather than craft and control this, they mentor and bring alongside the next generations of leaders who receive and channel the best of that leader through their lives.(Bonus Track for Faith Leaders) Getting Ready to Get Down by Josh Ritter
Leading a faith community can be a unique privilege and also a unique challenge - especially in times of significant change and upheaval. Great Leaders know they gotta get ready to get down… and this song is a nice pump-you-up for just that.
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So… what am I missing? Any songs you’d add to the Leadership Soundtrack? Share in the comments below!
In the meantime, to all those trying (however imperfectly) to live the truths of these tunes?
A genuine, heartfelt thank you for the music playing through your life.
However, this is not to be done in a subversive way where the leader is monitoring workers and planting ‘spies.’ This stuff happens, and it always ends badly. Very badly. Back to that Matter of Trust thing.
Spectacularly relevant to virtual organization leaders. For male parents, “Cats in the cradle” by Harry Chaplin”. Remember that your child does what they observe not what you say once they are grown. Also, Leader of the band, Fogleberg, honoring those gifts we have been given. Thank you for the playlist.
So relevant right now. Thank you.