Very few people are able to touch and inspire folks much like Ben Zander. Well-known for conducting the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, he is an amazing teacher and inspirational speaker. I happened to have a firsthand experience of his infectious power when I found myself among a crowd of mesmerised people, all of us sporting “shining eyes” while he weaved his magic with words at a talk he recently gave at GIBS in Johannesburg.

He is perhaps the most uninhibited 72 year old I’ve ever seen and even his lovely wife seemed very laid-back, feeding his exuberance – a great union indeed. While their relationship is enviable, it was his talk that had me spellbound. He held my attention from beginning till end – if it were possible, I wouldn’t have batted an eye throughout the two-hour long talk, sharing his infectious energy. 

I had long known that my true purpose in life was to work with teenagers and somehow guide them. But I didn’t quite have an idea of how to go about fulfilling this “calling”, until the morning I sat, wide-eyed, listening to Ben. He opened my eyes by validating what I already believed in, but it seemed too daunting. His approach is simple – in order to be successful in what you do, you need to first empower those who surround you.

Interpreting his words and relating them to my calling, this means that, in order for the young people to pay attention to what I say, I need to take a back seat and let them shine first by handing them the power. That, according to Ben, is a positive transfer of power.

The “shining eyes” phenomenon ensures that responsible young people see the bigger picture. If a young person has shining eyes, nothing is impossible to him or her.

While using music as a metaphor, I was struck by a profound line he said: a conductor of an orchestra makes no sound but he gets his power from the ability to bring out the power and possibilities in others. Suddenly I was aware of my power and sure hope that I’ll be able to transfer it and make a difference, just as I always dreamed. This also took me back to the days when we weren’t afraid of dreaming and voicing our dreams. Some of us wanted to be presidents and astronauts, while I have always wanted to work with the country’s teens – moulding them to become model citizens.

Sadly, a lot of us have moved away from those dreams and allow the so-called “reality” to map their destinies. Sadly, we decide to heed the nagging voice that tells you “it can’t be done” and maybe it’s about time you listened to the sweet music that urges you on to follow that dream, no matter how ridiculous it may sound.

Thank you Ben for replaying the music in my soul and for making me realise that our lives are governed by the choices we make. Right now in South Africa, possibilities are endless as long as you continue listening to that faint sound of hope and surrounding yourself with people who also have shining eyes and can see your success.
 
To prove that he practices what he preaches, while we sat with our “shining eyes”, eating his words, he had handed all the power to each and every individual in that room to think and act on their purpose in life. This was sweet music indeed!