Empowering Manager News September 2005
leadership through partnership
In this issue
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INSPIRATION
Welcome to the September issue of Empowering Manager News. I want to share with you three places I have found great inspiration recently.
Leadership
I read a review about a recent concert by Hariprasad Chaurasia, the legendary player of the Indian bamboo flute, the bansuri. The power of the concert came across so strongly in the reviewer’s words. As I read the final words of the article, I felt for myself the experience the reviewer Ivan Hewett had at the end of the concert.
Here is a little of what he wrote “Watching him come on stage with his musicians reminded me how natural authority only comes to those who have submitted to it themselves. … It was like a dance of mutual respect. … As they played, Chaurasia now and then demanded change in tuning or balance with gestures that were mild, even vague, but with something imperious in them. … Having started with a dark and intense raga, Chaurasia moved on to a sinuously bright one, and the mood became more playful. … The passage from dark to light was completed at the very end when Chaurasia played some piercingly high, sweet notes on the ‘piccolo’ bansuri. As we all cheered and whistled, the tabla player darted over to Chaurasia, bowed, and touched his feet. It was as if the music was continuing, but no longer as sound, more as a state of intense human awareness. At moments like that, you really could believe that music can change the world.”
To read the whole article in the Daily Telegraph, click here: Indian Master teaches an inspirational lesson.
Courage
A group of special students I know at Heritage House School in Buckinghamshire have been learning Japanese Taiko Drumming for the last year or so. Six of these students and four adult helpers will be travelling to Japan in spring 2006 to learn with Taiko Drumming Master Kurumaya Sensei, and to study Japanese culture.
Heritage House School is for students with learning disabilities and I am so inspired by their courage and determination. I have witnessed a transformation in these students, many of whom find it very hard to concentrate for more than a minute or so, and some have very challenging behaviour.
Seeing how engaged they are and the enjoyment and enthusiasm on their faces as they play together is a great thrill and a privilege. I want to do all I can to support their visit to Japan and am honoured to be one of the adult helpers taking part.
We need to have pledges for the full costs of the journey (approximately £16,000) by the end of November this year. I am aiming to raise all of the money needed for my own air fare and accommodation, plus enough for at least one student. That is £3,200. For those of you who would like to contribute to an experience of a lifetime for these extraordinary students, please email to let me know the amount you want to offer.
Resources
“Get Unstuck and Get Going .. on the things that matter” is wonderful new resource package. It’s a book, and yet it’s not like any book you’ve seen before – it’s much more fun! GUGG is beautiful book, and a big source of inspiration for me personally. I often open it at random for an inspiration boost, and it provides a really simple way you can get things moving in your life the way you want to. Click here: Get Unstuck and Get Going to test drive the book and find out more about the highly innovative author, my good friend Michael Bungay Stanier. There are special publication launch bonuses on offer, but only until 5th October so don’t miss out.
Get inspired!
Alison Smith
Empowering Manager
leadership through partnership
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