Several hundred federal executives and managers joined voices on Thursday and sang Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the "Ode to Joy," in German.
Standing in their power suits and business blouses at the Federal Quality Conference, the federal government's elite waved their hands in the air, bellowed out high notes and delved deep for low notes, singing about the potential of human achievement in a language most of them did not understand.
Conducting the chorus was Benjamin Zander, the British-born conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, who has become a sought-after leadership and motivational speaker in recent years.
Zander urged the executives and managers not to take themselves "so goddamn seriously." He said he used to be focused on success and failure, until he decided that kind of self-imposed seriousness wasn't healthy. Now he wakes up each morning and thinks instead about how he can make a contribution to other people.
"If my career was focused on success, I wouldn't be here with a group of federal executives," Zander joked.
Leaders must "remind people why they're doing what they're doing," he said. As a conductor and orchestra leader, Zander said he reminds his musicians about the power of music to speak to the human soul. Similarly, he said, government executives must remind their employees about their commitment to serve and protect the American people.
Zander challenged the government's leaders to "move the conversation of our country" from a success vs. failure, individual vs. the system dichotomy to a more inclusive discussion of how we can each help make all of our lives better.
He said leaders should not allow themselves to be caught in a "downward spiral" mode, in which they focus on all the obstacles that prevent them from achieving their goals. Instead they should think about the "radiating possibilities" that present themselves to leaders each day.
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