Persuasion vs Education
In this powerful TED Talk by Benjamin Zander, the music director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra neatly illustrates the fact that the most powerful way to change entrenched opinions and behaviours is often more like education than persuasion.
And as with all great teachers, in Zanders case, this is coupled with large amounts of charisma and infectious enthusiasm.
As TED puts it: “Benjamin Zander is known around the world as both a guest conductor and a speaker on leadership — and he’s been known to do both in a single performance. He uses music to help people open their minds and create joyful harmonies that bring out the best in themselves and their colleagues.
His provocative ideas about leadership are rooted in a partnership with Rosamund Stone Zander, with whom he co-wrote “The Art of Possibility.”
Or as Zander says himself: “The best review I ever got was not from a music critic, but from my father. He was 94 years old at the time and completely blind. He attended a Master Class I gave in London and sat there in his wheelchair for about three hours. When it was over, I went to speak with him. He lifted up his finger in his characteristic way and said, “I see that you are actually a member of the healing profession.” It seemed to me the highest accolade.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html
But there’s much more to be enjoyed at:
Einstein's Cloakroom 