What Being an Opera Singer Taught Me About Work

Here's one thing I avoided telling people for a long time—in addition to my role as VP of corporate marketing for SAP Ariba, I’m also a professional opera singer.

Early in my corporate life, I was hesitant to share this side of me because I didn't want anyone to think I was any less serious or any less committed to my work. But eventually, when I started letting people in, something amazing happened. I was able to connect with my co-workers on a deeper level.

It felt great to join two formerly separate parts of my life together. I realized that they weren’t so different after all, and that artistic challenges and workplace challenges can be tackled in similar ways.

I’ve come to realize that being an opera singer informs who I am at work, what I value, and what I bring to my team. I wanted to share these lessons because I believe that we can bring in things we’ve learned from our passions to become better at what we do.

Learn to Take a Note

?At work, there will come a time when you will inevitably receive feedback that you don’t want to hear. But feedback—even if it’s negative—is one of the key things that help us grow. We're all on a journey of continuous learning and self-improvement. You have to constantly evolve to ensure that your skills are relevant to the challenges at hand.

Performers often take part in “master classes,” where they perform a piece in front of a live audience that includes both their peers and a “master coach” — a distinguished performer, conductor, or director. The master coach then gives the performer feedback onstage and they work together on the piece, making changes in the moment.

This can be a tough experience. When someone is critiquing your work, it can feel hurtful. But artists set aside their egos, take informed risks, and make adjustments based on the expertise and knowledge of someone who is considered to have mastered their craft. As a result, the performance becomes more engaging as well as more technically sound. 

When you learn to focus on the work, rather than on your emotions, improvement comes more easily and more quickly. In time, you won't fear constructive criticism, you will come to welcome it.

Find Your “Voice”

As you rise in the workplace, you‘re more likely to be tasked with leading and motivating teams, or making presentations to customers or peers. Nailing down your message, and communicating it authentically, is key.

Take a lesson from one of my favorite opera singers, Renée Fleming, who said, “you have to tune out the noise and focus on your voice.” Even in the workplace, we must distill and interpret multiple points of view into clear communications. Think carefully about what you want to say and how you will say it. Tell a captivating story that will motivate your audience to feel or think differently. As every good marketer knows, if you want to leave a lasting impression, tell a story that has a little edginess, and a little bit of raw human emotion.  

Don’t Let Nerves Get In Your Way

We’ve all seen this happen: An individual making a presentation wanders off topic and loses the audience.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by nerves, whether you’re presenting in front of a small group or in front of 3,000 people at a conference.

How do performers tackle jitters? They step on the stage armed with the confidence that they can achieve and excel based on preparation. The takeaway here: Remind yourself that you are prepared and ready to deliver. For every negative thought about what could go wrong, counter it with a positive thought about what could go right.

You Are One Part of an Ensemble

Every company, whether it be a business or a group of performers, is the sum of its parts. When every section is given the opportunity to shine, do what it does best, and work in harmony with one another, something magical happens.

We all have a role to play. I’m proud to say that I’m part of a company that believes in the idea that we all fit into the scheme of the ensemble, and without each other, there would be no show.