The Adapter’s Advantage: Benjamin Zander on Awakening Possibility
Welcome to The Adapter’s Advantage: Breakthrough Moments that Lead to Success.
In episode 42, world-famous conductor, author, and speaker Benjamin Zander shares insights from a lifetime of inspiring others through music.
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The conductor has to give power away to empower others. It’s about spreading power through the orchestra so that [everyone] feels lifted, energized, excited, inspired, and plays to the best of their ability. That’s the art of leadership through conducting. And that turns out to be a valuable model for most organizations.
Throughout his career, Benjamin Zander has developed a human and transformative approach to making and teaching music. The orchestra is a group of highly trained individuals poised to coalesce into an effective whole. Passion, creativity, and the desire to contribute are basic human instincts. In this new model of leadership, the conductor sees his job as awakening possibilities in others.
Zander has traveled the world lecturing to organizations on leadership. He has appeared as a keynote speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he was presented with the Crystal Award for “Outstanding Contributions in the Arts and International Relations.” His best-selling book, The Art of Possibility, co-authored with leading psychotherapist Rosamund Zander, has been translated into 17 languages.
Listen as Zander discusses the art of leadership through conducting and how all organizations can inspire their teams.
Episode 42: Awakening Possibility | Benjamin Zander
Listen and Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn
From This Episode
Host Mark Magnacca: “What have you learned about the importance of backstage activities to support your front stage efforts?”
Benjamin Zander: “One of the things I say to conducting students is: everything you do matters, everything. If you raise your eyebrow, it matters. Every single interaction, every gesture, everything you say, every mood, everything you do affects how the thing is going to unfold.
“I remember a wonderful moment before a rehearsal. I said to my personnel manager, ’I really hope it’s a great rehearsal.’ And she said, ‘Well, it’s entirely up to you.’ That’s a very good point because if I come into a rehearsal even slightly dejected or self absorbed or irritated, I can be sure that the rehearsal is not going to go well. But if I come in full of energy, joy, optimism, and confidence, they’re going to play beautifully.
“So, it’s about being mindful of how we speak, what words we use, how we address people, our tone of voice, energy in the body, and vitality in the spirit.”
About The Adapter’s Advantage
Our podcast features leaders from sales, training, and industry who share their personal journeys of transformation and how they are adapting to an ever-changing environment. As your host, I’ll introduce you to some of the most interesting and inspiring people I’ve met over the last twenty years.
The conversations dive into the ups and downs of their journey. Our guests focus on inflection points—the aha moments that, in retrospect, had a critical impact on their success. These interviews will leave you with practical, real-world advice that you can apply to your life.
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