The following contains excerpts from the book, The Leader In You (Dale Carnegie & Associates).
At our music school in Odessa, Texas we believe that music is more than sound, it is relationships. At the top of understanding how relationships work is the subject of Leadership. We believe that in order to be successful in music and the arts, one must understand and apply successful attributes of leadership.
This is one of the most comprehensive Dale Carnegie books I have come across regarding Leadership. Although echoes of these ides can be heard in much of today’s leadership materials, it is enjoyable to find the original source of many of these ideas, which are presented in their ‘rawest’ and most simplistic form.
In the introduction, the author admonishes, “Keep your mind open to change all the time. Welcome it. Court it. It is only by examining and reexamining your opinions and ideas that you can progress…The winners will be the organizations with smart and creative leaders who know how to communicate and motivate effectively- inside the organization and out. Good human-relations skills have the ability to change people from managing others to leading others.”
Developing students in our music school in Odessa, Texas in music and the arts gives them a head-start in understanding the value of inter-relational skills, which are of the highest importance throughout all of life.
In Chapter 13, ‘Achieving Balance’, the author encourages rest and reflection, quoting Walter A. Green, “What I would urge is that your life be a several-legged stool, with a dimension for your family, another for your friends, your avocations, your health. I have seen many examples of people in their thirties, forties, and fifties whose professions or careers did not materialize as they had expected. This spells trouble for those whose lives have been a one-legged stool.” The author quotes Tom Hartman, “I try in my life for an hour a day to do nothing. I waste time with God, with people, with nature, my job. It has transformed my eyes. Now I see the connection we have to each other.”
A key ingredient in our music school in Odessa, Texas is learning how to inter-relate with others in collaborative projects, as well as playing in ensembles, where students learn to appreciate each other’s strengths as well as gaining a sense of how they can uniquely add personal value to the group.
In Chapter 14, ‘Creating a Positive Mental Attitude’, the author states, “Contrary to what most people want to believe, outside influences do not usually determine personal happiness. What matters is how we react to those influences, good or bad.”
At our music school in Odessa, Texas we value the role of maintaining a positive attitude in every endeavor. Understanding why we do what we do carries a huge role in establishing a positive framework.
In Chapter 15, ‘Learning not to Worry’ he gives specific ways to beat worry:
- Live in day-tight compartments- The past is over, and the future hasn’t yet arrived. Try as we might, we are utterly unable to affect either one. There’s only one time we can possibly live in. That time is the present. That time today.
- Take comfort from the law of averages- By asking yourself just one question- and paying attention to what the answer is- you chase a good chunk of worry from your life. “How likely is this thing to happen, anyway?”
- Cooperate with the inevitable- Don’t waste time and energy worrying about the things you cannot control.
- Put a stop-loss order on your worries- Try asking yourself the question that Wall Street investors ask themselves whenever the market falls- How much of a loss am I willing to take on this investment? At what point do I just take the beating and walk away?
- Keep things in perspective- stepping up to help other people: that’s a terrific worry-fighting technique.
- Finally, get busy- If you’re finding yourself getting worried, take on a new project. Learn a new skill. Do something you believe in. Focus on the needs of others.
Asking the question, “What is there is good reason to worry?” the author gives these suggestions:
- Ask yourself, ‘What’s the worst that can possibly happen?’
- Prepare yourself to accept the worst, if necessary.
- Then work calmly and methodically to improve upon the worst.
At our music school in Odessa, Texas we teach students that there is great value in achieving daily progress. When facing unknown or difficult circumstances, the daily habit of moving forward, if even incrementally, gives great peace of mind, knowing that a positive outcome is being pursued.
In Chapter 16, ‘The Power of Enthusiasm’, he writes, “Here is the bottom line on enthusiasm: it’s infections, and it makes people respond. The best way to get someone excited about an idea- or a project or a campaign- is to be excited yourself. And show it…Enthusiasm is a feeling that has to come from inside. It’s not to be confused with boisterous hype…True enthusiasm is made of two parts: Eagerness and assurance. Be excited about something and express confidence in your ability to handle it. That’s all enthusiasm takes.” The author quotes Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Every great and commanding movement is the triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it.” The author explains how to have enthusiasm, “By telling yourself what you like about what you are doing and passing on quickly form the part you don’t like to the part you do like…Enthusiasm is easiest to attain when you have real goals in your life, things you are genuinely looking forward to…You will never achieve real success if you cannot be excited by your life or your work.”
At our music school in Odessa, Texas, we are enthusiastic about seeing our students lives develop, not only in musical and artistic ways, but also in meaningful lessons in life-skills. Focus, discipline, collaboration, empathy, listening attentively, maintaining a positive attitude, learning how to publicly present one’s self are a few of them. Music is more than sound, and participating in learning musical disciplines adds value to our lives and community in profoundly important ways. At our music school in Odessa, Texas we are honored to be a part of this environment of enrichment.