benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html

This inspirational talk is by Benjamin Zander, a leading interpreter of Mahler and Beethoven, known for his charisma and unyielding energy, and once conductor of the Boston Philharmonic.
Benjamin Zander has ‘two infectious passions: classical music, and helping us all realize our untapped love for it — and by extension, our untapped love for all new possibilities, new experiences, new connections. He uses music to help people open their minds and create joyful harmonies that bring out the best in themselves and their colleagues’ (TED).

What he actually does during his talk, in the course of 20 minutes or so, is open the minds of the audience, enable them to see and understand in a way they previously were not able to, touch their hearts and transform their experience of a famous piece of music. I believe that effective teaching or leadership is not a matter of following a formula, fulfilling a set of criteria, but firstly a connection within the teacher of what is being taught; secondly, a realisation that, as Benjamin says, it’s about awakening possibilities in others. He says that you know you’re ‘doing it’ if your audience’s eyes are shining; and if they’re not, you should ask yourself, ‘who am I being that my audience’s eyes are not shining’.

Benjamin’s final message: ‘it really makes a difference what we say’. Watch the video.