Music can move us, make us smile; bring back memories - both good and bad - and many other things. Today, I plan to show you how music can help make you a better leader.rnEveryone has a connection to at least some music; everyone has favorite songs, genres and more. In this article, I am not trying to identify the five "best" songs for leaders, or even necessarily my favorites. I didn't even scour my entire collection to generate this list. What I did was identify songs that have a message that have helped me as a leader, and therefore I hope can do the same for you.rnI was explaining this concept to my wife. Her first response was, Are you including Take This Job and Shove it (by Johnny Paycheck)? I told her no; but there is likely a whole list of songs that could be cautionary tales for leaders too.rnI’ve taken a different approach with the list below. If you are familiar with the songs, I hope you see the connection I am making. If you aren’t, I hope you will listen and look for your own lessons, as you enjoy the words and the talented musicians who bring them to life.rnHow You Ever Gonna Know by Garth BrooksrnLyricsrnVideornFor me, nearly every line of this song holds a lesson for us as leaders; ringing so clear that little more needs to be said. Here’s one example:rnYou know failure isn't failurernIf a lesson from it's learned . . .rnIf we remember and apply this lessoned learned for ourselves and our teams, we will have higher performing, more productive and innovative teams, with higher levels of trust.rnThe overall focus of the song is about trying. And as a leader, don’t we want all of our teams members to always be trying . . . to grow, improve and excel?rnHow you ever gonna knowrnWhat it's like to live therernHow you ever gonna knowrnWhat you never knewrnHow you ever gonna knowrnIf you're down here doin'rnWhat the good Lord put you here to dornHow you ever gonna knowrnIf you could have done itrnHow you ever gonna knowrnHow it feels to flyrnHow you ever gonna knowrnIf you never dare to tryrnHow You Live (Turn Up the Music) by Point of GracernLyricsrnVideornLet’s just start with the chorus...rnTurn up the musicrnTurn it up loudrnTake a few chancesrnAnd let it all outrnCause you won't regret itrnLookin back from where you have beenrnCause it's not who you knewrnAnd it's not what you didrnIt's how you livedrnYes, in the sphere of your career, who you know – building your network – is valuable. And what you do can add to your experience and credibility, but ultimately, what will make a difference for you as a leader is the example you set – how you live.rnThere is a larger scope to the message of this song as well, one that is personal in nature, but metaphorically for us as leaders it matters too – because as leaders we must also be looking at the big picture, and the greater meaning if we want to make a bigger difference.rnThere are more examples in this song, but here is just one more line for you . . .rnWherever you are and wherever you beenrnNow is the time to beginrnThere really is no time like the present, is there?rnDream Big by Ryan Shupe & the RubberBandrnLyricsrnVideornLeaders are responsible for seeing a future vision and helping their teams see it (and move towards it). If you are going to cast a vision, it is hard to argue with the chorus of this song.rnAnd when you dream, dream bigrnAs big as the ocean bluern'Cause when you dream it might come truernAnd when you dream, dream bigrnIf you don’t create the big dream, who will? And when you dream big and share it with others, you give others the chance to see your dream and help you move towards it.rnDare To Live (Vivere) by Andrea Bocelli & Laura PausinirnLyricsrnVideo (of a live performance)rnThis is a big powerful song, another about us personally (and the only one on this list not entirely sung in English). Whenever I hear this song, I am captivated by the beauty of it. I doubt you can listen to it and not be more confident and inspired when it is over than when it began. As leaders, we need to be inspiring others, and so we must be filling our inspiration bucket in order to share it with others. This song, like all of the others on this list, does that for me. While they may not all do it for you, I’d bet this one will.rnBeyond that, here is one line that speaks directly to us as leaders, and our role in serving those we lead . . .rnDare to live until the very lastrnDare to live forget about the pastrnDare to live giving something of yourself to othersrnEven when it seems there's nothing more left to givernFinally, even if you know this song, do yourself a favor and read the lyrics. Unless you speak Italian, you are in for a treat as you read the English translation of the Italian parts.rnBelieve by Brooks and DunnrnLyricsrnVideornI am a Christian, and for that reason this song specifically speaks to me. Even if your faith is different from mine, I hope you will listen to this song too, because the message for us as leaders is broader than some of the words.rnThis song speaks to the power of mentorship – between a young boy and an older neighbor. As leaders, we may have a bigger impact on more people than we realize. And when we realize that, it should make us humble, not full-of-ourselves. And one line gives us, as leaders and individuals, something to think about, regardless of our faith:rnThey tell me that there's more to life than just what I can seernI believernHere are five songs for you to listen to and hopefully learn from. While I hope you will do that, I also hope you will share other songs with your colleagues and friends, that inform and inspire you as a leader. With your additions, perhaps we can all create a powerful playlist to help us lead more effectively.