Leadership and Loneliness

A few years ago I was reflecting on the experience of completing a yearlong leadership development program at work. The program was facilitated by an amazingly talented leader, Dr. Chantal Thorn, who also happens to be a gifted singer. I too share a passion for singing. Upon reflecting, the most cogent feedback on the experience I could offer was it taught me that - more often than not - leadership is simply a matter of being willing to pick up the microphone.

Most everyone knows the act of singing is expressive in that it allows us to express our thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams, and fears.

But if you're not a singer, you may not realize that it can feel like one of the most vulnerable, authentic, and solitary things a person can do - especially when singing alone through an amplified microphone. Even more so when it's your own words you're singing.

In light of the recent pain and anger and tumult in the world inspired by the murder of George Floyd, we've all sought refuge in different ways. For me, I've spent time looking to leaders for advice and perspective. Gil Scott-Heron is one such leader.

If you don't recognize the name Gil Scott-Heron, he's one of those leaders you've likely been exposed to in other ways. He was a poet, a singer, a philosopher, and a modern day prophet of the people. When it was released in 1971, his song 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' essentially created what would later come to be known as rap and hip hop. The song's mix of jazz instrumentation and grooves, coupled with Gil's spoken-word vocals was something nobody had ever heard - but if you did hear it, you couldn't really ignore it. And, if you listen to the song now, two things are undeniable:

1. Gil had a gift for describing injustice he saw in the world and inspiring action without placing blame, and
2. Despite all the advancements and evolution in the past 50 or so years - not much has really changed as it pertains to the plight of Black America.

As a privileged white upper-middle class male, I find it hard to even have an opinion on the topics of race and equity. I can only try to empathize with Gil and the struggles he described. His impact on music was outsized, yet he died in 2010 in relative obscurity. But the biggest takeaway for me is acknowledging that some times being out front means knowing that you might just have to do it on your own.

Ps...if you want a taste of Gil's prescience, spend a few minutes watching him talk (in 1983) about how our American heritage has led us here, and the only way out is recognizing it's 'Winter in America' - and we must band together to create our own spring.