Inspired while attending a jazz concert and supported by Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, Stefanie Smith interviewed Eli Yamin of Jazz at Lincoln Center to gain leadership insights within and beyond the realm of music.   

Download | Duration: 00:30:39

Eli Yamin is a nationally recognized jazz pianist, bandleader, educator, composer, broadcaster and Steinway artist.  He has played with jazz masters for decades, recorded numerous CD’s and was the musical director for the tour of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies directed by Mercedes Ellington. 

Eli performs concerts and conducts workshops throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia.  At home in New York, he leads the Middle School Jazz Academy at Jazz at Lincoln Center.  The program, the first of its kind, is now in its third year. 

What can business executives learn from the great jazz bandleaders? 

In this interview, we learn from Eli how and why to:

• Evoke top creative performance from your players.
  
• Keep everyone playing the same tune while honoring individual styles, perspectives and gifts.
  
• Allow the focal point to shift from leader to team members to advance the group’s vision and build mutual responsibility.
  
• Rehearse and focus together – even when the group is comprised of highly experienced and talented professionals.
  
• Engage your customers in creating, naming and marketing your products.
  
• Teach others because “when you teach, you learn twice” and you learn far more than the topic at hand.
  
• Maintain the trust requisite for people to express themselves fully and contribute to their greatest potential.

Duke Ellington acknowledged his strength as a bandleader by saying “I am the world’s greatest listener.”  In listening to this podcast, you’ll hear how Eli has applied this advice and why it can advance your leadership fulfillment and results.

If you would like to receive the article published this month in Executive Matters based on this interview or share your thoughts, please contact me, Stefanie Smith executive consultant-coach. 

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