Listening & Leadership According to the Duke

In December of 2007, Brian Fraser on his Jazz Think website (www.jazzthink.com) paid tribute to Duke Ellington and his reflection on leadership as it pertains to listening.

Brian writes, “Duke Ellington once said that the greatest instrument in the world is the human ear. Leadership begins with listening, not for what you want to hear but for what others really want to say. That kind of listening invites others into your world and enriches it with fresh ways of thinking and acting. It respects others in ways that build lasting collaboration. Listen openly for what others have to contribute.”