The music of leadership

Purpose In an attempt to rethink business after the worst recession for many decades, it is vital to rethink leadership and the sorts of HR strategies that will help companies thrive and survive in ways that are genuinely sustainable. This paper aims to explore three musical genres and their connections and contrasts with leadership. Design/methodology/approach Through literature reviews informed by qualitative and action research, the paper reviews three musical paradigms and connects them with leadership practices. Findings In an ever‐complex world, leadership needs to convey complex concepts simply and concisely. It also needs to value diverse talents in ways that go beyond the usual definitions of diversity. Research limitations/implications Qualitative/action research inevitably needs to be backed up by more formal research into the topic. This paper offers an agenda for action and further qualitative/quantitative research. Practical implications Great leaders also have personal mastery, whilst also being able to tune in to the world around them. These are skills that can be learned/enhanced through experiential learning in the main. Social implications Great leaders make complexity compellingly clear. They do this through providing sufficient structure to enable people to be their best. Music is the analogy of choice for making complex communications clear and there is much more to understand in this area. Originality/value Much effort has been expended on examining the parallels between business leadership and sports. Relatively little effort has been spent on music, which offers unique insights into the questions of diversity and teamwork in the context of high performance.