There’s a time and a place to find your voice and speak your truth.
There’s also a time and a place to let others do the talking.
That may sound counterintuitive—especially for leaders who’ve worked hard to own their voice, presence, and authority.
But strong leadership isn’t about dominating airtime. It’s about knowing when your voice is the one that matters most… and when it isn’t.
For example:
- Instead of doing the entire presentation yourself, give your direct reports a chance in the spotlight—letting them present to more senior leaders, build their visibility, and strengthen their leadership brand. (I’ve worked with plenty of leaders on how to do this.)
- Instead of waiting until you’re confident you’ve come up with “the perfect answer” (FYI: there’s no such thing), just share the data and details you do have, and together you arrive at the optimal solution—one everyone has had a voice in shaping, and therefore actually supports. (I’ve worked with plenty of leaders on this too.)
- And sometimes, instead of trying to will your way out of frustration or force yourself out of feeling stuck, you let someone find the words for you.
That wisdom might come from a spiritual resource such as the Bible or the Tao Te Ching, or from role models whose language already captures what you’re feeling or needing better than you could in the moment.
For example:
- “I choose courage over comfort. I choose to show up and let myself be seen.” (Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection)
- “(I’m) one decision away from a completely different life” or even “5-4-3-2-1—Go!” (Mel Robbins, The 5 Second Rule)
- “Now I am the voice!” and the rest of the complete incantation by Tony Robbins (accessible on YouTube/Google), which should absolutely be said standing, out loud, and repeated with increasing energy when what you need is to get amped up and claim momentum.
All of these work for the same reason: they borrow language and energy that instantly shift your state.
And that’s exactly where music comes in.
Why Music Can Do What Words Alone Sometimes Can’t
Music is one of the most powerful—and underutilized—tools for leadership communication and influence.
When you’re stuck, waffling, or talking yourself out of action, the problem usually isn’t information. It’s state. And music has an uncanny ability to shift your emotional, mental, and physical state faster than almost anything else.
A couple of weeks ago, I invited you to help me crowdsource inspirational theme songs for 2026. What came back wasn’t just a fun playlist—it was a surprisingly sophisticated leadership toolkit.
I love the list so much I created a YouTube Music playlist of them all! Scroll down for the link.
Click here to access the complete 2026 playlist on YouTube Music.
When I grouped the submissions, five clear themes emerged. Each one supports a different leadership state, depending on what the moment calls for.
What follows are just a few examples from each category. (The complete list is in the playlist I’m sharing below.)
🔥 1. Confidence, Power & Claiming Space
For owning authority, momentum, and presence.
- Don’t Stop Me Now — Queen
- Confident — Demi Lovato
- All of the Above — Maino (feat. T-Pain)
These are the songs that remind you: I belong here—and I’m done playing small.
🏔 2. Resilience, Grit & Endurance
For pushing through resistance, fatigue, and self-doubt.
- Lose Yourself — Eminem
- The Climb — Miley Cyrus
- I Won’t Back Down — Tom Petty
This is endurance music—the kind that keeps you moving when momentum wavers.
🎤 3. Courage, Voice & Self-Assertion
For speaking up, stepping forward, and being seen.
- My Shot — Hamilton
- Brave — Sara Bareilles
- Defying Gravity — Wicked
These are for moments when waiting feels more dangerous than acting.
🌱 4. Identity, Authenticity & Self-Acceptance
Grounded confidence, self-trust, and wholeness.
- I Am Light — India.Arie
- Born This Way — Lady Gaga
- Unwritten — Natasha Bedingfield
These songs don’t hype you up—they settle you into comfort in your own skin.
🧭 5. Purpose, Perspective & Values
Meaning, priorities, humility, and the long view.
- Man in the Mirror — Michael Jackson
- Rise Up — Andra Day
- Humble and Kind — Tim McGraw
This is the music you reach for when the question isn’t Can I?
It’s Why does this matter—and who do I want to be while I do it?
Want the Complete List?
These are just highlights.
Because I loved this list so much—and because music only works if you actually use it—I pulled everything together into a complete playlist that I’m excited to share with you.
👉 2026 Inspirational Theme Song Playlist
Listen when you feel stuck.
Listen when you’re hesitating or overthinking.
Listen when you want to pump yourself up, speak up, step up, level-up.
Let the music say what you may not have words for—and help move you into action.
So… What’s My Theme Song for 2026?
After sitting with the entire list, my personal theme song for 2026 is:
Right Now by Sammy Hagar and Van Halen.
That’s because to take things to the next level, I want to stop letting self-doubt and hesitation fuel procrastination or stand in the way of growth, progress, and fully realizing my vision.
The message of Right Now speaks directly to my heart—because “later” never comes.
If this playlist helps you internally break inertia, stop waffling, find more confidence or get energized, and you’re ready to explore ways to strengthen your external leadership communication and influence, let’s talk.
Sometimes the most powerful way to find your voice is to let the right one speak for you—until you’re ready to step fully into your own.
