“What would happen if you fully unleashed people’s potential?”

I’ve used this tag line for over a two years to help leaders rethink their responsiblity and relationship to the people with whom they work. We often overlook the passions, talents, and hopes of people as we try to mold them into “efficient” and “productive” workers.

Yet, sometimes I forget its real meaning. The following video from this year’s TED conference is a vivid reminder of what it really means to unleash people’s potential. I’m including the introductory note from Chris Anderson, TED founder, which provides some context.

We’ve just released one of the most powerful performances in TED’s history. It happened 13 days ago at TED2009 with a surprise satellite link to Caracas and a youth orchestra led by the international phenomenon Gustavo Dudamel. He and the young members of the orchestra, many born into poverty, had had their lives transformed by a national music teaching program built by TED Prize Winner Jose Antonio Abreu.

If you give yourself one TED treat this month, make it this one. Please block out 20 minutes, hook up your computer to the best speakers you own, crank the volume and enjoy orchestral music as you’ve never seen or heard it before. <--this is the link

More background here.
Chris Anderson & the TED Team