In this episode of the Converge Podcast, I sit down with Gerald Leonard- a consultant on enterprise-level projects throughout the US. With an extensive background in music, Gerald demonstrates and educates others on how to lead like a jazz musician. Just like the give and take in an excellent improv session, knowing when to lead and when to take a step back is a creative dance that Gerald knows intimately well.
Gerald Leonard has had a diverse career filled with creative pursuits and technical education. The magic happened when Gerald was able to draw a throughline from the success of small jazz ensembles to the success of tech teams and businesses. It all came down to knowing how and when to lead.
When you’ve played for years or spent that time developing your IT skills, you become an expert. While those skills are absolutely necessary for success in your chosen field, you also need an understanding of how your role must adapt. On a team, each person is an expert in their niche, but it’s only by coming together and supporting each other that the team can achieve its goals.
Putting together the various pieces of the success puzzle and creating powerful teams combines creativity, neuroscience, culture, and, of course, a little jazzy improvisation. Finding your way there can help you truly live your life “in the zone.”
If you’d like to learn more about these concepts, Gerald Leonards’ books Workplace Jazz and Culture is the Base cover these topics in more detail.
Timeline:
[4:08] Gerald details the eclectic road of specialties he’s walked and explored throughout his life.
[6:58] Choosing between pursuing a life on the road and being with his kids allowed him to slow down. But it was all meant to be and came back around later on.
[7:50] Balancing local concerts and starting a career in IT as a consultant showcased his natural talent for project organization and a mastery for adaptation.
[10:50] IT teams were changing and getting smaller. Gerald saw the similarities between playing with a small ensemble and working with concentrated tech teams.
[13:00] Culture and talent, incorporating not only the players on the stage but the audience, are the keys to succeeding at initiative changes.
[15:15] Gerald discusses the framework for his book, Culture is the Base.
[18:12] Leadership and collaboration are all about trust- trusting yourself, the process, and each other. Building that trust and establishing common ground is essential to creating strong teams.
[24:24] Being in the zone and learning to be in that flow state with a group of others. It’s about synchronizing with your team and melding those brainwaves.
[26:53] Gerald elaborates on whole brain integration and how it relates to coming together and finding that synchronistic groove. Outside of music, where it can naturally occur, there is a way to practice whole brain integration.
[30:05] How Gerald’s faith interacts with his daily routine and path toward success.
[33:20] Gerald talks about finding your purpose and direction. Consider what you want your mark to be and how you want your life celebrated in your old age.