Sonsoles' Story
From concert pianist to composer of high-performance teams
"The classical, large, and cumbersome symphony orchestra transforms into modern, small, and flexible ensembles characterized by cross-functionality, agility and future-readiness."
Concept thinker and entrepreneur
In an era when composers struggled to translate the sounds in their heads into traditional musical notation, graphic scores provided an innovative solution. This innovation finds a parallel in today’s business world, where companies are seeking a 'new sound' that better resonates with the current market.
As a concept thinker who sees connections between seemingly unrelated areas, I found inspiration in graphic scores. My company, Composition8, is named after a painting by Kandinsky that can be considered a graphic score. Kandinsky could hear color and see sound, and for me, he symbolizes the integration of disciplines, which is essential for a cross-functional team in 2024.
After a rich musical career both domestically and internationally, I have translated the principles of graphic scores into systemic tools for flexible and future-proof teams.
Mijn ondernemersgeest leidde mij van Tenerife via Madrid, Freiburg en New York naar Amsterdam. Zonder een bestaand netwerk bouwde ik mijn carrière op in Nederland, waar ik een markt creëerde voor unieke multimediale concepten. Een hoogtepunt was Dromomania, een productie met live-elektronica en lichtontwerp in samenwerking met Moritz Eggert, Marko Ciciliani, Jorrit Tamminga en Steingraeber & Söhne, sponsor van twee exclusieve concertvleugels van het model Concert Grand Piano E.
Later, I joined business networks that gave me the opportunity to attend events, explore organizations, and brainstorm with entrepreneurs in the fields of organizational development and leadership, including Arko van Brakel and Albert de Booij, a great music enthusiast and founder of the Speakers Academy.
As time went on, I began to see parallels between the challenges organizations face in their transition to agility and the similar challenges in the classical music world, which had reinvented itself with cross-functional and flexible ensembles.
"I draw my inspiration from graphic scores, which are a crossover between music and visual art."
The score of innovation
The ensemble as the hub of change
As I navigated the music industry, a fascinating transformation unfolded: from the large and cumbersome symphony orchestra to modern, small, and flexible ensembles characterized by cross-functionality and agility.
Throughout music history, the composer had become an all-powerful leader who meticulously detailed what needed to be done and how in a score. A true micromanager!
The composers themselves also became quite tired of their own rigid approach and grew curious about other forms of collaboration.
This led to the development of open forms and graphic scores. Consider the groundbreaking composer Simeon ten Holt, who broke traditional boundaries by giving musicians much more freedom. Musicians can influence the performance of the piece, including articulation and dynamics, which sections are played, and how they handle repetitions. The score has become more of a guideline than a strict prescription.
The result? An exhilarating experience for both performers and audiences. And Ten Holt? He remained the leader, as he ultimately set the rules. Everyone happy and excited!
Today's market sounds different. Does your leadership sound different as well?
A contemporary music ensemble is essentially similar to a modern team. And graphic scores are comparable to systemic process tools for teams and stakeholders. Together, we compose a high-performance organization consisting of future-ready, agile teams."
The composition of a career
Trained at conservatories and business schools, I further developed myself with certifications in systemic process facilitation. The path to my ORSCC certification (Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching) was a challenging, in-depth, and costly two-year marathon.
My systemic tools enable me to work with entire teams and their leaders, and align sets of stakeholders. I am one of only two consultants in the Netherlands with expertise in 'Power Intelligence,' the dynamics of power. Additionally, I hold the title of Professional Certified Coach (PCC), awarded by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
I am internationally active, a true global citizen, and I enjoy working with experienced and dedicated leaders and entrepreneurs who pursue innovation and authenticity. For 11 years, I have been assisting entrepreneurs and C-level managers with leadership and team issues.
Together, we compose high-performance teams!
