As facilitators, we’re often asked where we find inspiration for the work we do. The truth? It’s everywhere – in boardrooms, offsites, team conversations, and sometimes, at the most unexpected places.
In my case, one such moment of insight came not during a high-powered leadership workshop, but at a quiet breakfast table in a hotel restaurant.
The Violinist Who Taught Me More Than a Keynote Ever Could
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It was a usual day on the road. I had an early morning workshop lined up and was finishing breakfast at a hotel. That’s when I noticed the gentle notes of a violin cutting through the quiet hum of conversation. My eyes scanned the room and landed on a lean, older gentleman, standing quietly in a corner, playing his heart out.
What struck me wasn’t just the music – it was the sincerity. Most people around me continued with their meals. Few noticed him. But to me, he stood out. There was something magnetic about how committed he was to his craft.
And that was the first lesson that morning handed me: When you do something with genuine passion, people notice.
We talk a lot about engagement in the corporate world. In our experience, employee engagement isn’t just about surveys or perks. It’s about how deeply someone shows up to their role, even when no one’s watching. That’s what this violinist embodied.
Lesson 2: Ask. And You Might Just Receive.
Just as I resumed breakfast, the violinist approached me gently.
“Sir, I hope you’re enjoying your breakfast. May I have a minute of your time?”
Polite. Confident. Clear.
He introduced himself as Swapan Sett, thanked me for listening to his music, and offered me a CD of his melodies – ten tracks, recorded and ready to go.
Did he know whether I’d buy it? No. Did he hesitate? Not even for a second.
That moment taught me something powerful:
There is no harm in asking. Asking is what begins the receiving process.
In corporate settings, especially among first-time managers or high performers transitioning to leadership, we often see hesitation when it comes to asking – for feedback, for help, or even for recognition. Fear of rejection or being seen as needy stops many from voicing their needs.
Swapan reminded me that asking – when done with grace – can open doors. It’s a skill we all need to cultivate.
Related Reading: 4 Interview Questions You Must Ask Yourself Daily
Lesson 3: Don’t Let Rejection Stop You
As I watched him move from table to table, something else stood out. Not everyone bought his CD. Some declined politely. Others barely acknowledged him. But he remained undeterred. He kept going – with the same smile, the same pitch, the same grace.
If you want to double your success rate, triple your failure rate.
In our learning journeys with sales teams and leaders, this principle often comes up. Rejection is inevitable. What matters is what you do next.
Swapan’s approach reminded me of the resilience we try to build in corporate teams – especially in dynamic, high-pressure environments. He wasn’t pushy. He wasn’t disheartened. He was, in every sense, a professional.
Related Reading: How Leaders can Foster Resilience
Lesson 4: You Are Not Your Job Title
Before I left, I walked up to him to say thank you. That’s when I learned something even more fascinating. Swapan wasn’t just a violinist. He was also a painter. A sculptor. A creative spirit with multiple identities.
You are more than your job description.
So often, we let our roles define us: “I’m a manager,” “I’m in HR,” “I’m an engineer.”
But what Swapan taught me is that there’s power in exploring the full spectrum of who we are. Especially in today’s world where job roles evolve quickly, and career transitions are common, this idea couldn’t be more relevant.
For those of us in L&D, this is a critical reminder. If we want people to grow, we need to help them see themselves as more than their KPIs. To be curious, to experiment, to embrace their multiplicity.
Related Reading: How To Improve Your Hiring Process Beyond Job Descriptions?
The Bigger Reflection: What This Means for L&D
At first glance, this may seem like a simple story of a talented violinist. But as we often say in our sessions, real learning hides in plain sight.
Swapan Sett’s presence that morning revealed something we see time and again in our work with organisations:
- Passion drives engagement. When people connect to purpose, performance follows.
- Confidence fuels initiative. Being proactive is often the difference between stagnation and growth.
- Rejection is not failure. It’s just feedback. And resilience is what turns setbacks into comebacks.
- Identity is expansive. When people feel safe to bring more of themselves to work, innovation happens.
As L&D professionals, leaders, and HR partners, our challenge is to build cultures where these lessons come alive — not just in theory, but in daily experience.
It starts with noticing. Listening. Asking questions. And being willing to learn – even from someone playing a violin in a corner.
Related Reading: Active Listening : An Underrated Skill Of 21st Century
Final Thoughts
We often wait for inspiration to come from a Ted Talk or a bestselling book. But sometimes, it’s right there – in a simple conversation over breakfast.
I may never meet Swapan Sett again. But his music, his courage, and his quiet dignity taught me more in 20 minutes than many leadership books have in 200 pages.
Leadership, after all, is not a title. It’s how you show up.
And Swapan showed up brilliantly.
