Communal Delight

Last weekend, I found myself in the intimate setting of Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, witnessing an extraordinary collaboration between Cuban jazz pianist Omar Sosa, Senegalese kora master Seckou Keita, and Venezuelan percussion virtuoso Gustavo Ovalles, all hosted by the insightful Krista Tippett. As the evening unfolded, the performance transcended mere musical entertainment, becoming a beautiful metaphor for leadership and community building. What began as a forgotten ticket purchase months ago transformed into an evening that would reshape my understanding of how we might better lead and build community in our organizations. Through the interweaving of ancient musical traditions with contemporary expressions, through the seamless blend of different cultural voices, and through the creation of a space where performers and audience became one, three key insights emerged: the power of authentic collaboration across differences, the importance of creating spaces for shared experiences, and the vital role of leadership in orchestrating moments of collective meaning.

The performance demonstrated how authentic collaboration can transcend cultural and traditional boundaries in ways that elevate everyone involved. Each musician brought their unique heritage and expertise, yet together they created something entirely new and magical. The kora's ancient melodies intertwined with jazz piano progressions while Venezuelan percussion provided a foundation that seemed to transcend time itself. As leaders, we often face the challenge of bringing together diverse talents and perspectives in our organizations. The key lies not in forcing uniformity or demanding assimilation, but in creating an environment where differences become strengths, where each individual's contribution is valued and woven into a greater whole. Just as these musicians found harmony while maintaining their distinct voices, effective leaders foster environments where diversity becomes a catalyst for innovation and excellence, where unique perspectives create something greater than any individual could achieve alone.

The evening also highlighted the transformative power of shared experiences in building community. As Krista Tippett noted, "communal listening, communal delight, communal witnessing" create bonds that extend beyond the moment. In our organizations, we often focus on individual achievements and metrics, measuring success through narrow lenses of productivity or efficiency. However, the most profound impact comes from creating opportunities for collective experience. Whether it's celebrating successes, working through challenges, or simply sharing moments of learning and growth, these shared experiences build the emotional foundations that sustain teams through difficult times and inspire them during opportunities. When we create spaces for genuine connection and shared experience, we strengthen the fabric of our organizational community in ways that transcend traditional business metrics.

Perhaps most striking was how the performance space itself became a container for meaningful connection. In Zankel Hall's intimate setting, barriers between performers and audience dissolved, creating a unified experience of music and meaning. The architecture of the space itself seemed to encourage a particular kind of listening, a special quality of attention that made everyone present feel part of something larger than themselves. Similarly, leaders have the responsibility to create environments where authentic connection can flourish. This requires intentional design of both physical and psychological spaces - places where people feel safe to contribute, to listen deeply, and to engage fully with one another. When we succeed in creating such spaces, we enable the kind of genuine collaboration that drives both innovation and fulfillment, where every voice contributes to the organizational symphony we're creating together.

In life and leadership, our greatest impact often comes not from what we do individually, but from how we bring people together in meaningful ways. For those we love and lead, we have the opportunity to create environments where authentic collaboration flourishes, where shared experiences build lasting bonds, and where every voice contributes to a greater harmony. Just as a beautiful concert can transform an ordinary evening into something extraordinary, thoughtful leadership can transform a group of individuals into a community united in purpose and possibility. The magic lies not just in the individual talents we gather, but in how we create spaces and moments that allow those talents to blend, grow, and create something truly remarkable together.

With love, gratitude, and wonder.

Scott