Towards a Model of Leader Character Development: Insights From Anatomy and Music Therapy

Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies ◽

10.1177/15480518211005455 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 154805182110054

Author(s):

Mary Crossan ◽

Cassandra Ellis ◽

Corey Crossan

Keyword(s):

Music Therapy ◽

Character Development ◽

Systems Physiology ◽

Behavior And Cognition

Leader character has emerged as a critical foundation for leadership. In spite of the view that leader character can be developed, there has been limited holistic attention to what it takes to develop character. Character requires conscious development, and that conscious development not only requires an understanding of what character is, but how the anatomy of character enables and inhibits character development and expression. By anatomy, we refer to the four underlying anatomical systems—physiology, affect, behavior, and cognition (PABC)—that function independently, and in an interrelated manner, to support the development of character. For illustration, we offer the practice of listening to music as a means to develop character, highlighting the links between the PABC systems and character development.

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The Evolution of Music Therapy

Musik- Tanz und Kunsttherapie ◽

10.1026/0933-6885/a000221 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 207-221

Author(s):

Wolfgang Mastnak

Keyword(s):

Music Therapy ◽

Evidence Based Medicine ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Modern Music ◽

Guided Imagery And Music ◽

Theoretical Perspectives ◽

International Importance ◽

Evolution Of Music ◽

Based Medicine

Abstract. Five overlapping eras or stages can be distinguished in the evolution of music therapy. The first one refers to the historical roots and ethnological sources that have influenced modern meta-theoretical perspectives and practices. The next stage marks the heterogeneous origins of modern music therapy in the 20th century that mirror psychological positions and novel clinical ideas about the healing power of music. The subsequent heyday of music therapeutic models and schools of thought yielded an enormous variety of concepts and methods such as Nordoff–Robbins music therapy, Orff music therapy, analytic music therapy, regulatory music therapy, guided imagery and music, sound work, etc. As music therapy gained in international importance, clinical applications required research on its therapeutic efficacy. According to standards of evidence-based medicine and with regard to clearly defined diagnoses, research on music therapeutic practice was the core of the fourth stage of evolution. The current stage is characterized by the emerging epistemological dissatisfaction with the paradigmatic reductionism of evidence-based medicine and by the strong will to discover the true healing nature of music. This trend has given birth to a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary hermeneutics for novel foundations of music therapy. Epigenetics, neuroplasticity, regulatory and chronobiological sciences, quantum physical philosophies, universal harmonies, spiritual and religious views, and the cultural anthropological phenomenon of esthetics and creativity have become guiding principles. This article should not be regarded as a historical treatise but rather as an attempt to identify theoretical landmarks in the evolution of modern music therapy and to elucidate the evolution of its spirit.

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