Mary Elizabeth: Barbara, for a while now, you and I have been talking about the business coaching you do for executives and how that work applies to singers. Can you talk more about how you first came to realize the connection between these two worlds?
Barbara: I spend a lot of time with singers socially and have worked with top leaders in the corporate world for the past 25+ years. Over time, I noticed something: mid-career singers and top managers actually face similar challenges. Both are elite performers! Both work in environments where the pressure is constant and the stakes are extremely high. Singers and executives both have to make big decisions about which project to focus on, how to prioritize, and how to interact in difficult environments. Both groups have stressors around managing the trajectory of their careers in an ever-changing environment.
But here’s the thing: there’s a big difference in the kind of support these two types of elite performers get. In the business world, nowadays, it’s standard industry practice that leaders and high achievers get structured support—executive coaches, mentors, or advisors. These managers have advisors who understand their patterns, and help them think strategically, navigate challenges, and keep a long-term perspective. In fact, around 50 to 70% of CEOs have worked with a coach at some point in their careers.
Read the full publication here: https://www.csmusic.net/content/articles/interview-with-barbara-massury-executive-advisor-part-1-the-challenge-of-being-an-elite-performer/
