Resonant Leadership: Finding your Jimi Hendrix
Both of my sons love music and enjoy playing. They have both taught me a tremendous amount about persistence, practice, and refinement
My youngest son started off playing the banjo. He got really good.
As I fiddle player, I was thrilled by his impeccable playing.
Him? Not so much. Banjo was fine, but….
Since then, he found the guitar. I’ve watched him embark on a tour of rock and roll, country, and the blues. Then he found Jimi Hendrix. He first heard Hendrix’s guitar from a record player in his room, and he’s focused on getting his guitar to sing like Hendrix’s did.
Jimi Hendrix, performing live onstage in England on February 24th, 1969. David Redfern/Redferns/Getty
He comes to life around the music he loves, a whole new level of motivation and curiosity is unlocked. I hear Hendrix riffs as I’m going to sleep, and while I’m fixing breakfast. He is resonating–emotionally and literally–with Jimi Hendrix.
All of us have this potential. When we find deep resonance with our leadership. When we get inspired by what we are learning. When we experience who we are becoming.
We spark alive.
So many of the leaders I work with reminisce about the “spark” they had earlier in their career. When they were in jobs that were closer to the “real work.”
“It was simpler.”
“Not so damn political.”
“You could do things.”
What does it take to find that spark in your leadership?
Who’s your Jimi Hendrix?
Leaders who are grounded in their purpose–their why–have the inner capacity to connect deeply with others.
They have space to receive and hold complexity.
But then reality hits us…
🥊You get knocked off your feet.
💨You work harder and faster.
🎯You start to lose touch with your purpose.
⚖️Your to-do list overshadows your relationships
Soon the guitar is gathering dust in the corner. You’re not playing Jimi Hendrix any more. In fact you don’t even recognize the person who used to play that guitar.
These practices help leaders maintain their resonance and spark. They are inspired by Richard Boyatzis and Anne McKee’s book, Resonant Leadership:
🎸Cultivate Emotional Self-Awareness:
Understand your own emotions and how they impact others.
Recognize your personal strengths and weaknesses.
🎸Practice Empathy:
Develop your ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
Foster strong connections and trust within your teams.
🎸Maintain a Positive Outlook:
Optimism is a discipline, especially during challenging times.
This stance inspires and motivates others to remain resilient.
🎸Find Renewal:
Actively manage stress and prevent burnout through practices like mindfulness.
This allows you to maintain a positive emotional state.
🎸Build Resonant Relationships:
Cultivate genuine connection with team members.
This involves active listening, open communication, and demonstrating compassion.
🎸Share Vision and Inspiration:
Articulate a clear and compelling vision that inspires others.
This creates a sense of shared purpose and direction.
🎸Develop your People
Invest in the development of team members.
This empowers individuals to reach their full potential.
Reflect on this list, and choose one action that feels most meaningful to you right now. Jot it down on a note. On your calendar dedicate ten minutes to this practice for five work days. You may notice a shift in how you show up as a leader.
At the end of the week take stock.
🔹What did you notice about your presence this week?
🔹What did you observe internally?
🔹How did your relationships feel different?
🔹What does this experiment show you about yourself?
Your leadership is how you create resonance with your values, your people, and your work. It is your music. What music are you hearing?