21850: Embodying Connection with Others Through Music: A Practice to Develop Leaders, Managers & Educators

Recent advances in neuroscience and neurobiology speak of the relevance of the brain’s right hemisphere to the development of potential. This PDW offers participants an opportunity to practice how to embody non-judgmental and more loving attitudes in their roles as managers, leaders, and educators. We explore practices designed to prepare managers of the future to accept the relevance and importance of developing other innate talents that are associated with the right hemisphere of the brain, such as empathy, intuition and connection with others. The practices in this PDW emphasize inner work and greater relational awareness, utilizing music as one response to the need for engaging and developing innate human abilities. We introduce concepts and practical experiences to illustrate how and why participants can access more talents that are linked to the right hemisphere of the brain. Primarily an experiential workshop, we offer two practices. First, individuals cultivate a loving inner attitude towards themselves, enabling them to be more authentic and able to show up with more presence. Secondly, participation in small group work will illustrate a practical process for social flourishing and connection through a blend of music, empathic listening, attunement, and feedback. Through the workshop, participants will practice how to apply music as one way to embody a greater care towards others and hone their capacity for intuition, deeper listening and creativity to create a caring, receptive container.

To prepare for the PDW in advance, your task is to choose a track that resonates with your soul. It must be music you love deeply. It does not matter whether there are words in your song or sung in English, Tamil, French, or any other language that has meaning to you. It can even be instrumental. We will be working with what the music means to YOU. Invite in authenticity. Invite in creative license. Make the track meaningful in a way that is true for you. Here is an example to illustrate. Let us take the track 'In the Mirror.' For someone, this track feels like the wellspring of love for humanity, a constant flow of giving and receiving, experiencing openness, love, and appreciation of others, of seeing the inner beauty of others and being seen. For another, the music may feel like the desire, experience, and possibility of harmony between all people. Another person may feel that connection to others that may lie at the source of wellbeing. Note: YouTube links can be provided if you are not a Spotify subscriber. If using YouTube, it is best to listen to music without watching the video to connect with your imagination, intuition, and soul—the meaning you make and the imagination you bring to your experience are essential here. During the session, you will share your song with others in a small group of two or three. In your presentation, please help us understand how you connect with the music and briefly contextualize your song within the backdrop of your life. This is a very safe process. You can be assured that your track/song will be heard with respect and held in confidence. Please send your tracks to Barbara via email (barbara.nussbaum@gmail.com) or Whatsapp (+27 82 628 1886). For any clarification, feel free to contact any member of our team.