3 Leadership lessons from a famous music producer

As a guide for leaders I am always curious about new ways of thinking, new ways of working and new ways of creating.?

Recently I have read this great book by Rick Rubin. He is a famous music producer and has been the spaceholder for a wide variety of artists, like Eminem, Adele and Metallica.?More than being just a music producer he sees himself as the one who is creating space for the artist to flourish. To receive inspiration. To co-create with life as he puts it.?

3 inspiring quotes and my thoughts for you as a leader.

# 1. ‘Everyone is a creator.’?

Rubin defines creation as ‘bringing something into existence that wasn’t there before’.

In my view it is important for you as a leader to be aware of two main roles.?

1. You are a creator. A creator (like an artist) receives inspiration (like a new service for customers) and materializes this into existence (like a real life gathering with customers). Your organization has a meaning or a purpose so to say. There is a ‘why’ for its existence. It is crucial for you as a leader to feel deeply connected with this ‘why’. You are guiding your organization with the ‘why’ as your compass. And it is essential to tune in regularly (at least every week, preferably every day). To listen. To receive inspiration. To see how your organization can be of more value and contribute even better to a more beautiful world.?
2. You are a spaceholder for creation. In shamanism and many other ancient wisdoms and cultures the role of spaceholder is seen as crucial. He or she is very grounded and in touch with the Universe. She creates space for others to feel safe, to open up, to heal and to create. Just by being fully present.

This role is crucial for organizations. I believe all leaders are spaceholders in one way or another and they should be aware of this role. Some of the leaders in your organization could be the key spaceholdes for creativity.?

In addition it is very valuable to be aware that every single person in your organization is a creator. In my opinion most organizations only make use of less than 40% of their potential.?

Are you willing to see every person in your organization as a creator? If so, then you could start with explicitly expressing this within your organization. To let them feel that you truly mean it. And that you will create space for them to let creativity flow.?

# 2. ‘How do we pick up a signal that can neither be heard nor defined? The answer is not to look for it. Nor do we attempt to predict or analyze our way into it. Instead, we create an open space that allows it.’

I look at organizations as living organisms with a Soul and a heartbeat. The inspiration for creating the organization comes from the same Source as Adele or Lennard Cohen received their inspiration from. Inspiration is undefined energy that we as humans can not grasp, see or analyze. Yet it is undoubtedly there. Inspiration is ‘out there’ all the time. It is up to you as a leader and your leadership team to tune into the inspiration. To feel, hear and see what could be the right step forward for your organization. How your organization could be of more value for your customers. How your organization could align itself even more with her purpose and contribute more impactful to a better world.?

I would recommend you in your leadership role to increase your consciousness and to become more sensitive and aware of subtle signs that could be great inspiration. Who are great persons within your organization that naturally have this sensitivity? How would it be if you would ask them to be the council for inspiration??

Remember, you don’t need to be the one creator, there are so many within your organization. It requires you to step back and to be the spaceholder they need.?

# 3. The most deceptive rules are not the ones we can see, but the ones we can’t. These can be found hiding deeper in the mind, often unnoticed, just beyond your awareness.

I have worked in, with and for many organizations. From NGO’s to big corporates, from family owned companies to start-ups. It is one thing to say that you are a ‘bottom up’ organization, that the culture of your organization is ‘open’, ‘willing to make mistakes’, ‘agile’ and so on. It is another thing to really live up to these values.?

Every organization has a Soul, a heart and a mind. Just like we humans do. We have blind spots - we are not aware of certain beliefs and patterns that form our ‘shadow’. Whatever we try to change in our lives, if we are not able or willing to see and heal our past, it is impossible. The same goes for your organization.?

You can only move forward when you free yourself from your past.?

What rules, beliefs and patterns are created in the past of your organization and serve no longer? What is keeping your organization from using its full potential??

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I hope this inspiration gives you a lot of food for thought. Or rather food for listening, food for seeing and food for feeling :)

For yourself as a human and for your as a leader.?

I empower conscious leaders to lead the New Way. Inside out.?

Do you feel like it is time for the next level of your leadership? Then please reach out to me. You can send me a DM on Linkedin or get in contact with me via my website: www.soulfulleadership.nl . On my website you can schedule a 30 minute exploratory call.?