Benjamin Zander on Music and Passion

In this 2008 TED presentation, Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, shares a life-changing realization that his job is to awaken the possibilities in others.

“It’s one of the characteristics of a leader that he not doubt for one moment the capacity of the people he’s leading to realize whatever he’s dreaming… The conductor depends, for his power, on his ability to make other people powerful… I realized my job was to awaken possibility in other people… And do you know how to find out (if you succeeded)? You look at their eyes. If their eyes are shining, you know you’re doing it… I have a definition of success. It’s not about wealth and fame and power. It’s about how many shining eyes are around you.”