Leonard Cohen's Memory: A Motivational Individual

Had Leonard Cohen been a company or company, he would certainly have shown many of the current candidates how to do it. What showmanship, what quality, what teamwork, and what innovation (or music / poetry creativity) is talked about.

Back in July 2009, I went to see his world tour at Mercedes-Benz World. The memory of the concert remains with me for nine years. There were some problems that night. Open concerts, as the name implies, have become open to the elements of wind and rain. I remember I wasn’t too absorbed in arranging the parking lot and the fact that it took 90 minutes to leave the parking lot after the concert ended at 10:30 pm. In other words, I was in line until midnight. In addition, as recommended by the organizers, we stop early-light meals are available and everything-getting up early was only suitable for the organizers: putting a box in the car. In fact, hundreds had to wait at least an hour before something like a light meal was opened.

But none of this hurt what was an incredible night. Also, the thousands of people who met him, among them, didn’t seem to undermine my own enthusiasm. As you know, the first lesson a company can probably learn is that everything doesn’t have to be perfect as long as the core product exceeds expectations.

Despite the first problem, what happened when the concert started was sensational. Suzanne Vega kicked off with a very good set that was powerful and confident. The musicianship was great-a tight band. After the break, Cohen arrived at 7 pm. After that, it became abnormal in the evening. I have to say I wasn’t a big fan of Kohen. I’m not entirely sure what had to go see him that night. All I know is that I’m a fan now. I was overwhelmed when I heard that he died in 2016. Every time someone in a vague import dies, there is a worn-out cliché that politicians often drive away. They say: “The voice was silent.” Cohen’s death was one of the few times I felt truly, honestly, and absolutely true and applicable.

What do I remember that it was so good? First, there was his wealth of humility and joy in being there. He projected the full appreciation of the audience, incorporated material about them into his songs, and thanked them. His favorite address word was Friend. As a Quaker, this now chords with me.

This appreciation extended to his band and finally to everyone involved in the project, including the catering crew. Usually, these encomiums for all the miscellaneous goods of a company turn out to be boring and dishonest. Cohen isn’t-he projected an amazing amount of empathy.

In addition, his band selection was clearly inspired. The singers and players were all technically top-ranked, and they all seemed to be inspired by the soul of music. They were “in” the music while playing it-they looked like angels while playing or singing. And that virtue seemed a joy to Cohen himself, not a source of competitive envy, when the spotlight switched to them.

Obviously, the time spent on rehearsals produced something very musical, accurate, tight and inspiring. His song is probably close to poetry. Just listen to the lyrics of his song Nevermind, written in 2014 and brilliantly used in the opening credits for HBO’s True Detective second season, to find out what I mean. Dylan is great, but sometimes unstable and verbose. All of Kohen’s songs appear to be completely crafted. It’s as if a second-rate song with no spares goes through his filtering system. There were times when people were completely unnoticed when it was windy and raining, sitting in hard, uncomfortable seats-music, performances were taken to another location.

Perhaps the decisive moment for me was when he simply recited a poem, his own poem: if it was your will, and then allowed the Webb sisters to sing it. The effect was fascinating-I felt I could almost hear the pin drop in the thousands of audiences.

Therefore, companies should keep this in mind. Quality performance and expertise in the areas of teamwork, personal qualities of humility and admiration, innovation, and key abilities. When your customers experience it, they will have a life-changing experience working with you, just as I was with Leonard.

Thanks to Leonard and the whole team.