I am re-reading the book, Leadership Jazz, by Max De Pree. I highly recommend it.
De Pree says, “A jazz band is an expression of servant leadership. The leader of a jazz band has the beautiful opportunity to draw the best out of the other musicians. We have much to learn from jazz-band leaders, for jazz, like leadership, combines the unpredictability of the future with the gifts of individuals.”
He goes on with, “Leaders certainly need to know where they stand. But how do leaders stand? A sound philosophy isn't enough; we all need to connect voice and touch. So much discussion these days talks of ethics as a legal line in the sand, a prohibition against certain actions. But leadership is constructive, the right actions taken in the context of clear and well-considered thinking. The active pursuit of a common good gives us the right to ask leaders and managers of all kinds to be not only successful, but faithful.”
As we look at leadership in our external contexts, what do we see? How is leadership conceived in these contexts, how do we "see" the function of leadership in these organizations? How do these leaders connect "voice and touch"?
I have not read the book, but I am sure some people might be limited in their thinking that the notion of "touch" means physically placing hands on someone. I am not sure that leadership has to be physical at all. In my counseling experience, it is totally possible to touch someone and not even come close to physical contact. It kind reminds me of the AT&T (?) gingle, reach out and touch someone. There are ways to make human connection without actually touching... and possibly the link of this book is, through the art of music. We can lead through many venues, things we say (and don't say), actions, music (what we listen to & don't listen to).... the ability to "touch" someone can induce trust and understanding and in the realm of leadership, can make one person raise above their previous limitations and become more than they ever could without this type of human connection. But if possible, I would always encourage leaders to find a way to make it ok to hug someone!
ReplyDelete