The Power of Song

The Power of Song

Can culture hold a people together and song save a nation?

These short video clips gave me pause, and nudged me to reflect upon the many solemn blessings of our freedom, often taken for granted.

Oh, that we hold ourselves to a higher purpose through these trying times. –

The song, Finlandia (This Is My Song), was originally written and sung in 1899 as a covert protest against increasing censorship of Finland by the Russian Empire. The lyrics written in 1941 are powerful and speak to the beauty, strength and love of a nation struggling to hold to a higher purpose…

Perhaps one of these version will speak to you, as they all did to me.


The Indigo Girls

The military history of Finland during World War II encompasses three major conflicts. The first two––the defensive Winter War in 1939–1940, and the Continuation War alongside the Axis Powers in 1941–1944––were waged against the Soviet Union. The third one, the Lapland War in 1944–1945, followed the signing of an armistice agreement with the Allied Powers, which stipulated expulsion of German forces from Finnish territory.

By the end of hostilities, Finland managed to defend its independence, but had to cede nearly 10% of its territory, including its second largest city, Viipuri, and pay out a large amount of war reparations to the Soviet Union. As a result of this territorial loss, all Finnish Karelians were evacuated from their homes, relocating to areas that remained within the borders of Finland.

It’s the Culture

It’s the Culture

COO to CEO – “Why are things not clicking? We’ve got the Vision, Mission, Strategy, Tactics, Objectives, Game Plan, Goals, Funding, Talent, Technology, Economy is up, Tasks/Action Items… but we don’t seem to be getting anywhere. What did we forget?”

Often times companies get so wrapped up in the all the above they forget about the company’s culture.

Before you scoff and hit delete, I challenge you to read on.

Believe me, there is nothing “touchy feely” about examining, paying attention to and consciously shaping a company culture. And left to evolve on its own can be disastrous.

If you don’t believe me, think back on an organization that was really being successful; people working hard; passionate about winning; cheering one another on; growing profitably. What happened when it sold, or when the leadership changed hands? If all went well and things continued to progress… good! Most likely, however, it felt like an out of balance tire at 75-mph down a bumpy road.

A company’s culture can take years to build up, but in the wrong hands, can falter overnight. Alternatively, a culture can change overnight in the right hands… for the better. A change in leadership is only one of a thousand factors that can impact a company culture.

The trick is in recognizing that the culture may be the elephant in the room, and that it takes a special skill set to handle successfully.

My advise… don’t go it alone.

Clay Boykin
Business Development Services
[email protected]