Summary: Leaders need quick stress reduction techniques to be effective in helping their teams. Here are some great ideas.
Sylvia Lafair here, and I’m here to discuss another way to work with stress during these constantly changing times. I have taught this to so many leaders over the years. It works amazingly well before meetings. They’ve used it when they take a break from meetings. They’ve used it when you go home from a meeting.
So, let me tell you what the secret is.
Music is a universal language we all share for stress reduction.
Okay, first, let me ask a question. Do you ever scroll on Facebook? What makes you stop and pay attention? Is it someone speaking in a loud voice?
Music is the universal language that we all share, along with mathematics. Music is heard all over the world with no exceptions. For me, it’s music.
So, let’s look at the magic of music in the world today.
The music of Mozart is the top music choice for stress reduction.
This brought to mind my dear friend, Don Campbell. He passed on about nine years ago; He was a wonderful friend and a brilliant person who was a great musician and taught so much about music.
The title of his most well-known book is “The Mozart Effect.” I promise you will get so much for your health and well-being by reading it.
Therefore, I learned to look at all music and its impact through Don’s work. With you. Here’s an interesting fact. Monks who play music to the animals in their care have found the cows serenaded by Mozart to give more milk. Just saying.
Another piece of information I thought was so interesting comes out of Nagoya, Japan. A company there bakes bread and plays music that benefits the employees, customers, and, yes, even the bread.
The plants and food we eat respond to music to reduce stress.
It’s called “Beethoven Bread.”
They play Beethoven’s Symphony. Number 6 for 72 hours as the bread rises, and apparently, people love going there and getting that excellent, wonderful bread. They claim it tastes different, that it’s filled with something else. The something has no name.“
Mozart is piped into the city square to calm pedestrian traffic in Edmonton, Canada. Yes, the traffic improved. And for some strange reason, and as a result of the music, drug dealings have lessened—a double win.
Music for stress reduction decreases anger and conflict at work.
Here are some ideas of how to use music at work.
For example, in our leadership programs, we use a lot of music. Everyone notices the change in the room. Something calms down, and people seem to breathe easier.
Subsequently, we decided to research the power of music with groups with whom we worked. We would start the meeting in some groups with some quiet music in the background. With other teams, we would play the popular song of the moment.
It’s good to experiment with different types of music.
Further, we looked at motivational music, angry music, just instruments, and vocalists. Motivational music gives hope when conflict seems impossible to resolve. The quiet music helped people settle in. The angry music created caution. There was less willingness to be vulnerable and open.
Above all, I would like to suggest a song from an album that receives many requests when we do team building. The song, “The Magic of Love” features Luciano Pavarotti and Lionel Richie. The proceeds support programs for children who experience war zones. We use it for Zoom meetings also.
The combination of an opera star and a celebrity is fascinating. There is a sense of bringing together many worlds, both in the lyrics and the performers.
Psychological safety at work includes background music for stress reduction and increased creativity.
So, here’s the key to what I’d like you to do. It’s really about going into uncharted territory. Experiment with different types of music. Music is a universal language, and if you don’t like classical music, pick jazz, pick hip-hop, whatever you want.
Moreover, in this day and age, you can find all types of music on YouTube. When you are in work mode, stop early in the day, take a morning break, and put on some music. You’ll listen for 10 minutes, eyes closed, and listen. So, here is your homework.
After ten minutes, take a pen and paper to write down your thoughts. Write for a few minutes and then put it aside for later in the day.
Similarly, please listen to the same music for 10 minutes later that day at home. Compare where you are now at home with how you felt at work. Then write down your thoughts.
Do this for one week.
Track what makes a difference for you where you work and at home. Think about music as a healing force for you during this time. It’s also an essential leadership tool to use.
As a leader, you can add the correct type of music for your employees and the right time of day.
We’ve used it repeatedly, and we’ve noticed that most individuals are willing to be more open and ask better questions after a short period of listening to music with their eyes closed.
So, we use music a lot. Please consider it, and Don Campbell’s book, “The Mozart Effect,” is filled with unique concepts.
Here’s to your success,
Sylvia
PS. Please look at my new book “Invisible Stress (It’s Not What YOU Think!)” for more stress reduction methods.
