The Drum Circle Leader Knows the Secret

On a warm spring night, the booming of drums floated through the air. People from all over the city gathered, picked up percussion instruments, and joined the circle. Everyone melded together so much that you could only tell there was a Leader as a song came to a close and as a new one began.

Clearly, confidently, the Leader would establish the rhythm for the new song. There was a cacophony of sound at first as each member found their way into the song and created their own part. Once the groove was found, the song would increase in volume and energy!

It took on a whole new life of its own, harmoniously flowing, dipping, slowing down, and speeding up as if it had all been planned. From time-to-time, the sound became discordant, but the Leader kept the beat steady and eventually everyone found their way back to it once again.

Dancers joined in, people began to use their voice, children ran around the circle… After four hours, no one wanted to leave and it went on and on... The Drum Circle Leader knows the secret to creating a space no one wants to leave!

As you think about yourself as a Leader:

• What rhythm are you setting?

• How are you welcoming others into the fold to find their own contributions?

• How are you holding space for dissonance and trusting the group to find their way to harmony?

• Is the space you are holding deep and wide enough for all kinds of people, expressions, ideas, challenges, mess-ups, and joy to exist?

• Do you allow others to shine and know when to step in to redirect to keep everyone true to vision you are aiming to create?

How can you be like the Drum Circle Leader and lead in a way that inspires all to lead themselves and stick around beyond expectations?

Want a little challenge? Find a local drum circle event and see it for yourself. And, if you are extra adventurous, I dare you to pick up an instrument and get messy as you find your own way to contribute to the harmonious whole :)