Finding your frequency: How sound can improve mental clarity and leadership presence
What if we told you that sound could be your secret weapon for creativity, mental clarity, and stronger leadership? Would you believe us?
From the gentle hum of white noise we use to fall asleep through to our favourite ‘focus’ playlist on Spotify to get sh*t done, the right auditory environment can do wonders for us. Research has shown that certain types of sound can stimulate the brain’s reward centres, helping to sustain attention during deep work or ideation.
When you’re leading a team, you’re often dealing with the thoughts and emotions of those around you, yo-yo-ing from meeting to meeting, and rarely getting a moment of calm for yourself. Throw some uncontrolled noise in there (office chatter or constant notifications) and you’ve got yourself one overstimulated manager.
Now, we aren’t saying that throwing on the right music will be your *magical* fix, but instead we’re offering a different perspective on how you can improve your mental clarity and leadership presence that breaks the norm.
When you search ‘how to become a better leader’ ideas such as “improve your communication”, “develop empathy and integrity” and “encourage creativity” pop up. But, how can you do this and fill up someone else’s cup when yours is empty?
If you aren’t looking after yourself and creating space to improve on your leadership qualities, you’ll be stuck in an unhealthy loop that will be difficult to get out of.
But, is sound healing really for me?
It's easy to assume that sound healing belongs only in yoga studios or wellness retreats. But more and more corporate leaders are discovering that stepping into a sound bath, even for 30 minutes, can unlock something far greater than relaxation, it can make you a better manager.
Why? Because sound healing trains your nervous system to slow down, your attention to deepen, and your presence to expand. And in leadership, those are superpowers.
One of my corporate clients in the US, a high-performing leader juggling multiple teams and back-to-back meetings, came to a sound session feeling mentally fried and emotionally disconnected. It was meant to be a moment of stillness in his otherwise fast-paced week, but what unfolded was far more profound.
As my crystal bowls sang, something in his nervous system began to soften. His body relaxed. His breath slowed. And then, without warning, a memory bubbled up from deep within - a simple, joyful moment from childhood: running barefoot along the shoreline, toes in the sand, sun warm on his skin, completely free and alive.
He left that session with more than just a sense of calm. It was a homecoming.
That one memory reminded him of who he was before the titles, the deadlines, the pressure. And because his office happened to be near the coast, he made a small but powerful shift. He now invites his team, those open to it, to have their one-to-ones walking barefoot by the sea. To feel the earth. To slow down. To connect, human to human!
What began as a moment of stillness has become a ritual of reconnection. Not just to himself, but to those he leads.
Sound has this quiet way of unlocking memories, emotions, and creative sparks. It strips away the noise and brings us back to what really matters. Leadership becomes lighter. Presence becomes deeper. And work begins to feel more like life again.
Sound healing is less about sound, and more about attunement.
To yourself
To your energy
To your team
To what’s not being said
It teaches leaders to shift from constant output to intentional presence. In a world that rewards speed and volume, that’s a radical act of leadership.
Whether you're leading a team, designing a strategy, or trying to reclaim your focus, sound is always shaping your experience. By tuning into the auditory landscape, both external and internal, you gain access to a layer of intelligence that’s often undervalued but always available.
