Connected with Jen and Shannon It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) with Greg Thomas and Jewel-Kinch Thomas
Oct 20, 2025
Greg Thomas and Jewel Kinch-Thomas, co-founders of the Jazz Leadership Project, share how jazz principles can revolutionize leadership. They discuss the importance of co-creation and freedom within structure as essential to collaborative leadership. The duo emphasizes active and empathetic listening, highlighting how it fosters psychological safety in teams. They also explore how leaders can turn mistakes into learning moments and envision organizations that operate like jazz ensembles, full of creativity and joy.
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Relational Leadership Through Jazz
- Jazz models leadership as a relational co-creation where individuals alternate between leading and supporting.
- Freedom within structure lets teams innovate while staying grounded in shared form and purpose.
Charlie Parker's Humbling Catalyst
- Greg recounts Charlie Parker's humiliation on stage that drove him to practice 10–15 hours daily.
- That intense practice prepared Parker to transform jazz when he returned to perform brilliantly.
Rehearse Fundamentals Before Improvising
- Practice both individual craft (woodshed) and group rehearsal to enable wise spontaneity in teams.
- Build fundamentals so improvisation becomes skilled, intentional contribution during pressure.
