Day 106 - Music in Leadership and Recovery
Blog #6
9/8/2025
Why Learning Music Keeps You Sharp—In Recovery and in Leadership
When I was 38, I started learning piano. Now, at 46, I can see how much that decision has shaped not just my recovery, but also how I approach leadership and business.
Recently, I recorded myself playing Still D.R.E. by Dr. Dre (video below). Beyond the fun of learning a hip-hop classic, I’ve discovered that piano—and music in general—is a serious tool for keeping the brain sharp, calming the spirit, and strengthening skills that matter in both personal recovery and professional leadership.
🧠 Music and the Aging Brain
Science shows that playing an instrument engages both hemispheres of the brain, creates new neural pathways, and slows down age-related cognitive decline. For me, it’s not just theory—I feel it.
When my thoughts spin out of control, piano calms me almost instantly.
When cravings from alcoholism creep in, music steadies me.
When I feel spiritually disconnected, playing is like prayer in motion.
Music has become part of my recovery toolkit, but it’s also a blueprint for any leader who wants to stay sharp in an ever-changing business environment.
🎶 Instruments as Teachers for Life and Leadership
🎹 Piano: Complex Thinking & Emotional Regulation
Requires both hands doing different tasks at once—strengthening multitasking, focus, and memory.
Encourages emotional expression and stress relief.
Builds resilience: mastery comes only through repetition, patience, and perseverance.
🎸 Guitar: Agility & Social Connection
Sharpens dexterity and adaptability.
Fosters creativity and improvisation—skills leaders need in uncertain markets.
Portable and approachable, making it a natural bridge for building connections.
🎻 Cello: Discipline & Deep Listening
Demands posture, breath, and control—reminding leaders that strong presence matters.
Trains patience and precision.
Resonant tones teach the value of listening deeply and responding with empathy.
💼 What This Means for Leaders
As a management consultant, I often encourage aging leaders to think about how they can remain learners. Too often, executives hit a plateau and stop sharpening their skills. Music offers:
Sharper cognition: Keeps problem-solving, memory, and adaptability strong.
Faster learning curve: Musicians process and retain new information more quickly.
Better communication: Active listening skills developed in music directly improve leadership conversations.
Stress management: Music reduces cortisol, protecting leaders from burnout.
Social intelligence: Group lessons or ensembles remind leaders how to collaborate, share, and celebrate wins together.
The bottom line? Leaders who invest in lifelong learning—whether through formal education, coaching, or yes, even music lessons—stay relevant, resilient, and relational.
🎵 Recovery, Leadership, and Spirituality Intertwined
For me, music is more than brain science or leadership training—it’s deeply personal. It helps me maintain sobriety, calms my anxiety, and creates a spiritual connection with God. At the same time, it sharpens the skills I need as a consultant, coach, and leader.
That’s the beautiful intersection: music isn’t just art, it’s therapy. It’s training. It’s growth. Whether you’re leading a company or leading yourself out of addiction, learning an instrument is a practice worth pursuing.
📹 Here’s me playing Dr. Dre’s “Still D.R.E.” on piano. Proof that music—no matter the genre—can be a tool for focus, fun, and freedom.
🚀 A Note for Leaders
If you’re a leader navigating change, growth, or even recovery, remember this: the sharpest leaders are lifelong learners. They seek out new challenges, develop resilience, and never stop growing. Music is one way to keep that edge, but there are many.
👉 At ST Consulting, I help leaders and organizations sharpen not just their strategies, but also their mindset. If you’re ready to stay relevant, resilient, and relational in today’s world, let’s talk.
