Megan and I sit in the concert hall, grateful for our good seats and the generously gifted tickets. As we wait for the music to begin, I notice my shoulders drop, my breathing slow, and my hands settle in my lap. This surprises me because I am excited to hear my old friend Radovan perform before an eager audience, and yet I feel deeply relaxed. It's as if the calm he carries, from living with intention and dedicating himself fully to his craft, steadily spreads through the room and dissolves tension.
When Radovan steps onstage and begins to play, the sound is anything but performative. It is authentic, velvety, precise and alive with spirited humanity. There is an obvious technical mastery going on, yes, but also creativity and warmth. Radovan exudes a kind of ease that comes from connection to guidance, combined with deep professional preparation and trust in oneself. This excellence feels sustainable.
The atmosphere in the audience turns hopeful, which feels rare and precious.
After the concert, Radovan introduces us to the orchestra with simple gestures of kindness, creating space for real conversation. We speak with his colleagues as if we have known them for decades. We talk about impostor syndrome, relationships, loss, financial successes and setbacks, the wisdom of The Inner Game of Tennis as it applies to work and life, and even performance outfits, including stilettos.
Radovan is the best at what he does, and somehow also always the humblest person in the room.
He once taught me a principle of conscious leadership that applies far beyond music. Radovan says that when a musician is truly dedicated to the craft, they do not play the music. They become the vessel through which the music is played. In other words, when you are truly dedicated to your craft, you do not force your performance. You align your responsibility, skill, and presence, and then the work moves through you.
Note: A shout-out to Radovan Vlatkovic and everyone at the uplifting, beautifully organized Seattle Chamber Music Society Winter Festival 2026.
Above or Below the Line? In 2026, we explore the Line, a conscious leadership tool for raising our presence in life and business.