Lessons from Music: Curiosity and Growth

Growth mindset is key to leadership.

Curiosity is key to leadership

In my youth I learned and played musical instruments, yet somehow got in my mind that I couldn’t improve, couldn’t grow to a level that would satisfy me. I then lost my curiosity and sense of wonder around playing music. Perhaps if I knew then what I understand now life may have gone in a different direction.

Today, then, simply three bands and their visionary leaders and how they have inspired me. Perhaps we can all learn from musicians who continue to lead from a space of curiosity and growth.

The Waterboys

The artistic expression of Mike Scott (a fellow Edinburgh boy!) for 35 years, innovators of “Big Music”, their own form of pulsating Irish folk rock, and writers of one of the greatest pop songs in history.

I have been a fan for some thirty years, yet only made it to see them live when I moved to the UK in 2017, and have since seen them live three times. As my oldest son noted when he saw them this year with me, they are a “tight” band. They came on stage in Edinburgh recently and were rocking the room from the first notes.

Each time I’ve seen them they have changed things up in multiple ways. Mike Scott will never tire, he will keep changing things…