A takeaway about Pavarotti's D notes

Legendary opera singer Luciano Pavarotti said, "People think I'm disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is a great difference." 

It’s an inspiring reminder for any leader to find **their** inspiration to be disciplined about. 

Discipline applies your time & effort. Devotion commits your heart & soul. 

Discipline attempts; devotion embodies.

Discipline readies; devotion reveals.

Discipline directs what you do. Devotion shows who you do it for, and why. 

And the “why” is love. 

I can only guess, but I think Pavarotti truly **loved** music. He treated it like he loved it. He treated **us** like he loved it.  

We listen to it; he became it.      

I think he wanted us to share its depth, its mystery, its power, its wonder. So he dedicated himself to his craft, to music itself, and to us who hear it. 

The best leaders are both disciplined and devoted.

Discipline is sharpening your skills. Devotion is singing “Nessun dorma” 10,000 times, each time as if your life depends on it. 

I think to him, it did. 

That’s the takeaway: Prepare with discipline, do with devotion.