Listen for the Music

Everyone has a song. Are you listening?

Communication isn’t one-size-fits-all. I hear this said all the time in leadership circles, but have you ever really stopped to take it in? What if we thought of it not just as communication styles—but as music?

Each person you work with brings their own rhythm, their own tone, their own tempo. Some people speak quickly with bursts of passion. Others are slow and reflective. Some are storytellers who lead with emotion. Others are analytical thinkers who like to get to the point. It’s all music. And the more we listen for it—not just with our ears, but with our whole presence—the more we start to understand how to truly connect.

A party, a stage, and a powerful harmony

This past weekend, I joined some very dear friends to celebrate a milestone birthday—50 trips around the sun, which we all agreed is the new 30. The guest of honor is one of those vibrant, magnetic types who thrives in the spotlight. And sure enough, there was a live band, and at one point, he was invited on stage to jam out like a total rock star. The music was loud. The moment was big. It was joyful and a true celebration.

But it wasn’t the only song playing in the room.

There was also a quieter—but no less powerful—song humming in the background. A song of support, of planning, of presence. It was the song of his wife, who had clearly poured her heart into orchestrating a celebration layered with love. She moved through the party with grace, making sure everyone felt welcomed and cared for. Her intention could be felt in every detail. Her leadership didn’t compete for attention—it anchored the energy of the whole event. It harmonized with what was happening on stage and amplified the joy for everyone there.

She is a powerhouse in her own right. But in this moment, she chose to direct the energy toward celebrating others. That’s not a quiet song—it’s a generous one. It’s one you can only hear if you’re really listening. And once you hear it, you can’t un-hear it. It changes the way you show up.

Different tones, shared resonance

It’s easy to overlook the more complex songs when that loud beat is pumping. But in workplaces—just like in life—we need a full band. We need all kinds of instruments working together.

Some people bring intensity. Others bring calm. Some speak in vivid stories. Others in well-structured outlines. Some are the first to speak. Others are thinking ten steps ahead and waiting for the right moment. When we don’t pause to notice each person’s natural rhythm, we risk talking over one another, misinterpreting intention, or assuming disconnection when really, we’re just tuned to different frequencies.

Great communication isn’t about making everyone sound the same. It’s about creating the conditions where everyone’s sound can come through clearly.

OK, Let’s Play: Hear the Whole Song

This week, try tuning in to the music of your conversations. Not just the words—listen for the energy, the flow, the unique communication style each person brings to the table.

Ready: Notice the volume of your own communication. Are you leading the rhythm or making space for others to step forward?

Set: Think of someone on your team or in your life who communicates very differently than you. What might their song sound like if you really tried to hear it?

Go: Try one or more of these four ideas to bring more harmony into your daily leadership:

• Pause before responding to truly hear what someone is trying to express.
• Reflect on the best conversation you had last week—what made it flow so well?
• Ask a teammate how they prefer to give and receive feedback. Adjust your tone accordingly.
• Pay attention to what isn’t being said. Sometimes, the most powerful notes are between the lines.

Let it move you

When we learn to listen for the music, we become better leaders. More empathetic. More in tune. More able to understand what's really happening in a room.

And we create space for others to bring their full selves—because we’ve shown them we’re paying attention. That their unique way of communicating isn’t something to fix, but something to appreciate. Something that brings texture and richness to the whole.

As the founder of Leaders Uplifted, I’ve had the chance to observe this dynamic again and again. Sometimes it’s on stage, sometimes in a coaching session, sometimes in a hallway conversation at a conference. But always, when I stop and really listen, I hear it: the brilliance, the uniqueness, the music people carry with them.

Let’s be the kind of leaders who don’t miss a note. Let’s tune in.
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Hey there! I’m Blair Bloomston, author of UPLIFTED WEEKLY and your friendly consultant, facilitator, and game-based educator on-call, bringing a passion and penchant for all things play (I’m also alliteratively all-in). As the founder of Leaders Uplifted, I help leaders like you tap into creativity, connection, and confidence to make work feel less like a grind and more like a game. Keep reading with me— I’m here to be your business best friend. Let's go!