What makes Benjamin Zander so enchanting? Perhaps it's that his background makes him an unlikely candidate for hosting leadership seminars and management talks - at first glance, that is.
Zander, now 69, comes from a musical background and has been conducting the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra since 1979. The art of guiding, intertwining and inspiring an ensemble of such remarkable size is what led Zander to branch out into lecturing on leadership.
"As the conductor, I am modelling leadership in action with enthusiasm and energy. The conductor doesn't make a sound, so the conductor's job is to empower others, enabling possibility in others," he said in a recent interview.
An elixir
Zander's "enabling possibility" knows no bounds. From top-notch executives to a class of young music enthusiasts, he demonstrates how, as with a conductor's role, a person can be a catalyst in awakening possibilities in others. This is his foundation for effective leadership.
Reviews of his enthusiastic and passionate shows have been far-reaching. For example, one attendee, Eric Oddeifson from Resource Investments, says: "If we could simply bottle it and sell it as an elixir, not only could we make a few bucks, but also change the world."
Another delegate, Polly LaBarre from Fast Company, says: "In his passionate, almost savagely energetic monologues, Zander leaps about the stage from his piano to a flipchart and back to the piano. He plays, lectures, spins tales and pushes his audience to laugh, cry and sing..."
Zander explains: "My contention is that everybody would love classical music if they knew about it. I take it upon myself to train people to listen well and to be available to its powerful expression of emotion. I explain what the orchestra does, what the conductor does, what the composer is expressing."
Art of possibility
In a book he co-wrote with his partner Rosamund Zander entitled The Art of Possibility, Zander illustrates his leadership principles and how they can be applied to all areas of life. The book has since been translated into 17 languages.
Warren Bennis, a professor, says the book of practices has made his life one of infinite possibility. "Each day, since reading it, has been perfect. The implications for corporate and political life are extraordinary."
The Zanders will soon be heading to South Africa where they will use their unique leadership training and management principles to ignite passion into willing South Africans. Starting at Vodaworld in Midrand on 15 and 20 August, they will travel to Cape Town's Artscape Theatre to present on 21 and 22 August. A frequent visitor to South Africa, Zander hopes to imprint the country with his "South Africa: alive with possibility" message.
Contact Johleen van Wyk (johleen@symphonia.net) for more information.
* ITWeb and Brainstorm are media partners for this event.
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