Character Meets Songwriting
This post is adapted from my full article "Communal Songwriting as Character Formation" in Catalyzing Character Current Issue - Volume 1 Issue 2. Read the complete article to learn more about the research behind this approach and detailed implementation strategies.
At the 2023 KPCEL Conference, ten teachers and nonprofit leaders joined my workshop about how writing songs can shape our character. Within 45 minutes, these relative strangers created something extraordinary – a shared anthem expressing their collective wisdom about leadership and character. As one participant, Dr. Samantha Deane, reflected: "Creating in this way forced me to share and articulate my private experiences... we found ways to see different sources of our experience as connected."
This is the transformative power of communal songwriting.
Where Music Meets Leadership
As a former CIA analyst turned songwriter and facilitator, I've discovered that music isn't just about entertainment – it's a powerful tool for transformation. Research shows that music influences everything from our autonomic nervous system to our ability to remain open to new ideas and people.
Throughout history, from African Griots to contemporary artists like Beyoncé, music hasn't just transmitted values – it's actively shaped them.
A Unique Three-Part Process
Drawing from my diverse background, I've developed an approach that unlocks what I call the five C's: connection, curiosity, creativity, compassion, and courage. This isn't your typical leadership workshop – it moves insights from the head to the heart through:
1. Solo Reflection: Individual journaling exploring personal experiences related to themes like wisdom or courage.
2. Small Group Sharing: Partners listen deeply to each other's stories, finding common threads and transforming them into rhyming couples.
3. Large Group Collaboration: Individual pieces come together as we create a shared song that captures the group's collective wisdom.
Getting Started (No Musical Experience Required!)
You might be thinking, "But I'm not a songwriter!" Here's the beautiful thing – you don't need to be. This process is about creating connections and fostering growth. If you're an educator or leader interested in this approach, you can:
Partner with musicians in your community
Use instrumental tracks as backing for group-created lyrics
Bring Artistic Leadership to your organization for a guided experience
The Risk Worth Taking
In an era where character education often remains trapped in textbooks and PowerPoint slides, we're missing out on the transformative power of artistic expression. The real risk isn't in trying something new – it's in keeping character education confined to words alone, missing the melody of true transformation.
Written by Tiffany Thompson on Nov 4, 2024.