Emmanuel Zvada Did you know that musicians, like any other executives and professionals, face a lot of challenges in their careers and it is their ability to deal with these challenges which determines their success or otherwise?
I am not a music fan but this time it seems the multi-award-winning dancehall artiste Winky D has proved that he knows the value of his craft. Musicians and music have a lot to offer the world in the form of an art but can also offer numerous examples of effective leadership and how people can work together to achieve great things.
Music, according to me, influences the emotions, attitudes, and perspectives that an individual portrays in life.
In short, music can greatly impact an individual’s view on what it means to lead and how they choose to lead.
Here are some of the leadership takeaways of note that I hope will help you as fellow leaders who also love musicians and their leadership but mainly drawn from the music life of Winky D.
The need for a leader to have a vision, dream or goal
I want to believe that before putting his musical piece on the market, he would have visualised the music itself.
In the same way, leaders need to have a sense of where they are going and stick to their vision and mission.
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A lot has been said about Winky throughout the whole of 2021 but one thing I have noticed is that he stuck to what he is good at despite what others say.
Good leaders are self-disciplined
Self-discipline is the ability to resist impulses, maintain focus, and see projects to completion, this is just one of the traits I have seen in Winky D.
The musician has never had any scandal whatsoever, to me he is self-disciplined and leaders need to an epitome the same.
Leaders, who are high on self-discipline, are not easily distracted.
Successful leaders work the hardest and smartest.
They have high expectations for themselves and their team, which is only possible when they make appropriate plans and follow through on the same.
Leaders who are high on self-discipline are not easily distracted.
They can maintain focus despite other pressing issues requiring their attention.
A good leader has to be emotionally strong
As a leader you have to touch people’s hearts as well as their heads. Some people don’t really listen to you as a leader, unless there is an emotional impact that causes them never to forget or that touches their hearts.
It is crucial to note that how you say, what you say, the words you use in your communication (lyrics), must tell a meaningful story and the way (the tone of your voice) you narrate the story, the music, must resonate in the heart of the listener.
Many leaders tend to deal more with the mind and not so much with the heart.
Good leaders develop a simple but unique theme
In one of his songs I noticed the words “it’s not money” were the main theme and I have noticed that the song’s lyrics are repeated over and over again which is good.
The words “in a few days ago” have become so familiar to an extent that people of various age groups recite them, an effective vision and mission statement of leaders at organisations should have the same effect.
The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It’s got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion.
It is the job of a leader to get the team to envision and feel the mission, vision or task just like a well sung song, echoes in the mind of the listener for a long time.
You need to get their focus on the vision — and keep it alive. The vision of leadership permeates the workplace and is manifested in the actions, beliefs, values, and goals of your organisation’s leaders.
This vision attracts every employee who is experiencing this set of actions, beliefs, values, and goals hence it’s key for leaders to have such themes but under their visions and mission statements.
Leaders must always stay one step ahead
The Big Man hitmaker has so much faith in his brand to an extent that he has become a pacesetter in his field.
For those who watched the video almost everyone thought it was a movie but only to find there was sweet music in it, the diversity shows that he is a step ahead of everything and everyone.
A good leader should be ahead of his followers and even competitors. I call this strategic leadership.
This type of leadership is about stepping away from the day’s job and analyse your performance as a leader and make sure you keep challenging yourself.
When you are a leader, you have to be at least one step ahead of the people you lead.
Leadership is all about being authentic
Leadership success in every facet starts with authenticity which is doing our jobs without compromising our values and personality.
People and followers trust us more when we are true to ourselves, and that trust makes it possible to get things done.
I feel Winky D earned the trust and respect of the people since he started his career.
In other words, authenticity goes beyond delivery of value to the followers.
Outstanding leaders actively build trust by delivering on promises and acting with consistency, which in turn, leads to a sense of security and confidence.
The leadership proverb by John Maxwell puts it best: “He that thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk.”
Leaders can learn from musicians in building a support network by adding value to others, deeply caring about their followers, and recognising that big dreams require a team, innovation and self-discipline.
- Emmanuel Zvada is a human capital consultant and International recruitment expert
