Leadership is Jazz: Set the Tempo, Let the Band Play
By Derek Neighbors on March 10, 2025
Leadership isn’t a sheet of perfectly scripted notes—it’s jazz. Unpredictable, high-stakes, and only brilliant if you let your team riff. Get this wrong, and you don’t just kill creativity—you end up with a team too scared to swing.
The Leaders Who Choke the Music
Some leaders can’t help but strangle every move with red ink. They dictate, overcorrect, and turn high-potential teams into cautious, clock-watching cover bands. Instead of riding the groove, they drown it in noise.
The fix? Ditch the baton. Trust the groove. Instead of orchestrating every decision, ask yourself:
- Do they know the goal?
- Do they have the guardrails?
- Do they have the green light to go?
If the answer is yes, step back. You’re not the lead guitarist—your job is to make the whole band shine.
Set the Rhythm, Not the Notes
A great jazz band doesn’t need their leader playing every instrument. They need them to set the rhythm and let the magic unfold. Leadership works the same way. Instead of micromanaging:
✅ Define the “why” – Make the goal loud and clear.
✅ Frame the “how” just enough – Set constraints, not commands.
✅ Get out of the way – If you trust them, prove it.
Great teams thrive on clarity, not control. Set the beat. Then let them find the groove.
Failure is Just Another Note—Make It Count
In jazz, mistakes aren’t failures—they’re fuel. Miles Davis put it best: “It’s not the note you play that’s wrong, it’s the note you play next.” That’s the energy leaders need to cultivate.
So, next time a team member stumbles, don’t fix it for them. Instead:
🎵 Ask, “What’s the next note?” – Keep them moving forward.
🎵 Turn the flub into fuel. – Make the mistake part of the music.
🎵 Show them you trust their recovery. – The best musicians—and teams—learn in the moment.
The real failure isn’t playing the wrong note—it’s creating an environment where people are too afraid to play at all.
Let the Music Rip Beyond You
Leadership isn’t about controlling every sound—it’s about setting a rhythm that outlasts you. The best bands don’t just play; they leave a legacy—a sound that lingers, a groove that sparks something new.
Set the tempo with a bold goal. Trust your team to improvise. And watch the music rip beyond you.
