Leadership in Rhythm: How Drum Rudiments Shape Everyday Leadership Truths

Drumming has always shaped the way I think about leadership. Years behind the kit taught me that every beat, every decision, is grounded in simple truths—the workplace equivalent of classic drum rudiments.

Paradiddle, flam, drags, single/double/five/seven/nine stroke rolls, triples—these are the foundational grooves drummers lean on. They’re like the ABCs for rhythm.

In the working world, my “career rudiments” are those persistent truths that guide my day-to-day leadership. They aren’t flashy, but together they’re the toolkit I rely on to navigate each new day. They’re less about headline-grabbing innovation and more about staying authentic, connecting, and keeping the groove steady.

Here’s how my own career rudiments play out:

🥁 Trust gut instincts over noise, and get career advice only from a small circle of trusted voices.

🥁 Everyone’s improvising—no one has it all figured out.

🥁 Make space for conflict; it’s just part of being on a team.

🥁 Lead first, don’t chase popularity. People need clarity, not spin.

🥁 Let go of “need to be liked”—oddly enough, the respect (and perhaps even friendship) follows.

🥁 In any workplace conflict, own at least 20% of it—accountability builds trust.

🥁 Less than half of any job is about the actual work; more than half is about people. If people aren’t your focus, the groove falls apart.

🥁 No double standards: True leaders live by the same expectations they set for the team.

Those are my everyday beats. Got your own rudiments that get you through the workweek? Let’s swap notes—I’d love to hear what guides your rhythm.