What can we learn for a Grammy winning guitarist?

You might be surprised!

I was working with a very successful client recently, trying to envision the evolving role we wanted him to play in his organization. Our goal was to continue leveraging his unique strengths and experience while allowing his hand-picked successor to rise in position and authority.

Typically, when I’m coaching older leaders, we’re developing younger people (who were once beneath them in the hierarchy) to grow and flourish in responsibility and authority. This shift is not easy for anyone involved, and there can be some awkward moments during the evolution.

Step Back

I often use metaphors and visuals in my conversations to make my point. In this case, I asked my client to envision himself as Carlos Santana playing guitar in his band. Carlos is a great natural leader on several accounts. For example, he’s extremely talented (he’s won ten Grammy awards), yet he’s content to step back and take a supporting role in his group. He freely collaborates with younger musicians and helps them launch their careers by adding his name, experience, and mesmerizing guitar work to their projects.

His generosity is often the “Midas touch” that turns a younger artist’s album to gold.

Shift the Spotlight

Although Carlos has the skills, reputation, and drawing power to pull rank on anyone in his band, he doesn’t. Instead, he plays with the band and lets others have the spotlight and be up front.

Because of his humble style of leadership, this superstar has helped launch dozens of talented younger musicians who might otherwise have remained unknown. Without his generous spirit, their artistic contributions may have gone undeveloped and unappreciated.

I have a Santana album that literally features a different younger musician on every track. It’s rich in its diversity of styles. But on each song, I can still hear the distinctive sound of Carlos’ unique guitar mastery coming through. He’s always there in the background, only jumping in when needed. These collaborations always bring me joy, as they must have for all involved.

Keep Performing

Although clearly in a position to retire and relax from years of hard work (he formed Santana in 1966), Carlos remains active. After selling over 100 million albums, he could demand to always play lead and control the band. But he finds joy in putting others at the front of the stage. I think we can all learn something about humility, leadership and passion from Carlos Santana.

Still touring at age 71, he’s clearly “replaced retirement with intentional living.”