Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast
Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast: where culture, communication, and context meet at work. Discover what cultural influences have formed the careers of noteworthy leaders in a variety of professions, by exploring the groups that shaped who they are today. Learn about the collective context and experiences that affect their worldview, leadership style, workplace communication and behaviour.
Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast
Martin Kerr – Everything Is Under Control
Bio for Martin Kerr
British-Canadian singer-songwriter Martin Kerr finds himself traveling all over North America performing for different communities and has racked up passport stamps from 35 countries on his musical travels.
Episode highlight
British-Canadian singer-songwriter Martin Kerr always loved to sing. Listen in on how he went from being a troubadour to booking two-to-three shows a week.
Links
Website: www.martinkerrmusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/martinkerrmusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/martinkerrmusic
Quotes
“There’s no higher achievement than being of service to somebody.”
“Every place has good people and every person has good places.”
Takeaways
Childhood incidents:
Martin was five years old when he first performed as the lead in his school Christmas play singing six solos. At 13, he performed an original song about falling in love at the school talent show. He did not win, but that incident taught him to be brave and not to care about the results.
Groups you were born into and belonged to:
Martin grew up in England, with long-term friendships, time in nature, and a slow pace of life. The most influential people in his life and his strongest role models have been women – mother, sisters, and teachers.
Martin’s strongest sense of identity comes from the Baháʼí Faith, taking every opportunity to be of service to society and seeing himself as a world citizen before all else. He also credits his faith with his musical and lyrical abilities.
Temperament and personality influences
Martin believes in being in the moment and experiencing life with spiritual mindfulness. His stable and positive upbringing has made him believe that the world is a safe place and has led him to form his motto, that “everything will work out and that I’m going to be alright.” He has a taste for novelty, diversity, and adventure, which draws him to meet new people.
A time I became aware that my way of doing things was cultural and specific to my cultural experience
Martin experiences differences of opinion palpably on social media, even within so-called cultural groups. His manager, too, comes from a different culture, and even though they grew up in the same way, they disagree on some matters.
Advice to an employer to work with me
Martin’s advice to an employer is to be direct with him – “say what you mean the first time.”
More great insights from our guest!
Martin has released his new album, 'Everything Is Under Control', with producer Ryan Stewart (Carly Rae Jepsen, Owl City).