Day 60 of Embracing the Wonders of Life – Lessons from a Christmas Jam Session

This week, I had the privilege of playing with the Capgemini band at our Dutch Christmas party. The band already had two talented guitarists, yet they invited us to join as extras. What happened next was pure magic.

We launched into classics like “Take a Piece of My Heart”, “Proud Mary”, and “Walking on Sunshine”. But beyond the music, the experience revealed something deeper.

What struck me first was the openness of the band. They embraced us without hesitation, creating space for everyone to shine. There was no ego, no competition—just a shared desire to make great music together. That selflessness, the willingness to play for the sheer joy of it, is something that always amazes me.

Then came the ease of blending in. After 30 years away from playing in a large group, I expected it to feel awkward. Instead, it was effortless. We listened, anticipated each other’s moves, and adjusted in real time. It reminded me how powerful true collaboration can be when everyone is tuned in to the same rhythm.

And of course, leadership played its part. Our singer, the amazing Roma Vaessen, stepped up like a true conductor—clear, confident, and inspiring. With just the right amount of direction, the rehearsal flowed seamlessly, and everyone knew their role.

Finally, there was the sheer joy of playing together. The energy, the smiles, the sense of connection—it’s something I’ll carry with me for a long time. The smile is still not off my face.

What can we learn from this in the corporate world?

In a band, collaboration is instinctive. Everyone listens, adapts, and contributes to the collective sound. Imagine if we applied the same principles in business:

Embrace diversity and inclusion the way musicians welcome new players.
Lead with clarity and confidence, while allowing creativity to flourish.
Anticipate and adapt to each other’s rhythm for seamless teamwork.

Harmony isn’t just for music—it’s the foundation of high-performing teams.

Big thanks to Rens de Leeuw, Femke van Riel, Johanna (Joke) Achterberg and Willem de Paepe (Ph.D.) for thinking of me and the amazing Capgemini band for accepting me :)