More than you think! Leadership and drumming both demand a solid foundation, the right environment, and adaptability. 

Let me ask you: have you ever heard a hit song was only a beat? Me neither. 

Drums are powerful, but they’re always only a part of the whole. That groove sets the foundation for other instruments: bass, guitars, synths... and finally, vocals. Without that, there is no song.

Leadership works the same way. As a new manager, you’re not there to steal the spotlight. You’re there to hold the rhythm so your team can shine.

This is the single biggest mindset shift for first-time leaders: moving from “I play the melody” to “I set the groove.”

 What is the real problem new managers face?

They think leadership is about them. It isn’t.

Most first-time leaders make one of two mistakes:

• They play too loud; micromanaging, controlling, and trying to prove themselves.

• Or they play too quiet; hesitating, avoiding decisions, and letting others guess the beat.

Neither creates music. Both create chaos.

A good drummer lays a steady groove. A good leader sets a clear vision. That’s the foundation the team builds on.

When you step into leadership, the temptation is strong: prove yourself, show everyone how good you are. But let me tell you: your success is no longer measured by your solo. It’s measured by the harmony your team creates together.

Why does this problem matter for new managers and their teams?

Because your team performs at the rhythm you set. No groove—no music. No vision—no results.

Research backs this up: Gallup found in their State of the American Manager report that 70% of team engagement variance comes from the manager. That means your leadership rhythm directly shapes your team’s performance, motivation, and culture. 

When the groove is solid:

• People feel safe to play their best.

• Collaboration becomes easier.

• Productivity feels natural instead of forced.

• Teams perform with flow rather than friction.

But when the groove is shaky:

• Confusion spreads.

• Friction builds.

• Results suffer.

• Morale collapses.

I’ve seen this many times in coaching sessions. A new manager without clarity tries to lead by effort alone. Long hours, endless control, overthinking every detail. It always ends the same: burned-out leader, confused team, mediocre results.

The difference between a stressed, exhausted team and a high-performing one often comes down to the leader’s ability to set and keep the groove.

How can new managers solve this challenge?

You need to develop your leadership groove. Here’s how:

1. Lay the foundation 

A house collapses without a strong foundation. Same with leadership.

• Define the vision clearly.

• Communicate it consistently.

• Align your daily actions with it.

Without clarity, you’re winging it. With it, everything becomes aligned.

2. Create the right environment

Drummers don’t play melodies. They create the structure that allows others to shine.

• Be firm on the vision but flexible in execution.

• Remove barriers so people can perform.

• Leadership = relationship. Build trust; it’s the amplifier of performance.

Think of your role as setting the stage. The better the stage, the stronger the performance.

3. Adjust your style 

Songs shift. Some sections need power, others need space. There may be a part of the song (a break or a section) where there is no drums. 

• Push harder when your team needs momentum.

• Pull back when they need support.

• Always keep the bigger picture in mind: the “song” of your team’s success.

Rigid leaders break under pressure. Adaptable leaders last.

4. Listen as much as you play

Drummers who don’t listen ruin the band. Leaders who don’t listen lose their team.

• Pay attention to signals from the market and your people.

• Adjust tempo when conditions change.

• Your clarity plus their feedback creates resilience.

   

5. Practice your groove

Leadership, like drumming, isn’t mastered overnight.

• Repetition builds confidence.

• Mistakes are part of the learning rhythm.

• Stay coachable, keep improving.

I often tell clients: “Leadership is not a performance. It’s a rehearsal.” You’re always practicing, always refining. The best practise for the drummer is playing live with a band. 

What does this look like in practice?

When I first played in a band, I wanted to prove myself. I hit hard, showed off fills, tried to dominate the sound. The result? Noise. The band hated it. There was no groove.

Years later, as a new manager, I made the same mistake. I thought proving myself meant doing more; working longer hours, controlling every detail, solving every problem myself. The result? Stress. My team stalled, and I burned out.

The turning point came when I shifted focus:

• As a drummer, I learned the band needs to be a Ferrari. Not me. 

• As a leader, I learned that leadership is about the team. Not me.  

When I set the groove, created space for others, and adjusted where needed, everything changed. The music flowed. The team delivered. And I discovered what real leadership feels like.

This is why I coach new managers today. Because I don’t want you to lose years of trial and error like I did. With clarity, tools, and practice, you can accelerate your transition and avoid the burnout phase I had to go through.

What are the key takeaways for first-time leaders?

• Leadership is a groove, not a solo act.

• Your vision is the foundation—without it, nothing stands.

• Create space for others to shine.

• Adapt your style, but never lose the beat.

• Practice, listen, and keep developing your rhythm.

Remember: leadership = relationship. When the groove is steady, trust grows, and results follow.

What does drumming teach about leadership?

That rhythm, clarity, and adaptability matter more than noise or control. It’s not about being the loudest, it’s about being steady.

Why do new managers struggle with this?

Because they confuse leadership with individual performance. They still think their job is to “play the melody” instead of setting the groove for others.

How can I practice my leadership groove?

Start with clarity. Use tools like the HOUSE^TM model and Clarity Sheet (read below) to define vision, focus actions, and communicate clearly. Then keep adjusting based on feedback.

What if I feel unready for leadership?

That’s normal. Think of it as learning a new song—you don’t master it on the first try. Practice builds groove. Coaching accelerates it.

Final Thoughts

Leadership is a lot like drumming. You set the rhythm, hold the vision, and let others shine. Without you, the music stops. But with the right groove, your team creates something far bigger than any solo.

If you want to go deeper into building your leadership foundation, join my free workshop where I’ll show you my HOUSE^TM model and give you the Clarity Sheet tool so you can accelerate your way to become an effective and confident leader.

Just click the link below.