Solitude and Innovation

"So solitude can mean introspection, it can mean the concentration of focused work, and it can mean sustained reading. All of these help you to know yourself better" (William Deresiewicz, Solitude and Leadership, 7).

In a lecture given to students at West Point, Deresiewicz discussed why solitude is necessary for true leadership. Taking the time to learn who you are and what you believe will allow you to face unfamiliar situations and make individual judgement calls, rather than always conforming to the ideas of others.  As I read this article, I was reminded of one of my favorite music composers: Johannes Brahms. Just as with military leaders, artists must also have this sense of self in order to be original- to be a "leader" in their area.

Brahms wrote 11 Chorale Preludes in his last year of life, right after the death of his close friend, Clara Schumann. This was introspective music, written for himself, not intended to be published. I think his work was an expression of his solitude- his yearning to find purpose in the trials he was faced with. The text that accompanied this organ music spoke to God and showed his sense of despair: "Give me a healthy body, so that in such a body I may have an unwounded soul."

Solitude, as described by Deresiewicz, can include conversing deeply with a friend, reading thoughtfully, concentrating on work, or meditating. No matter what form it comes in, I believe it is about searching for the answers to life's deeper questions in a way that would lead you to act on that understanding. In Inés of My Soul, Pedro came to the Americas with ideals that he stuck to. His relationship with Inés was also a form of solitude, deep connection, and self-discovery. Later, he seemed to lose sight of what he really wanted, relying on the honors of men rather than the confidence gained through solitude. We all experience solitude throughout our lives. These are the times of contemplation, of deep pondering. Great leaders don't push away these thoughts. They face them, hoping to gain greater confidence in who they are and what they really believe. In doing so, they become capable of the greatest innovations, the greatest creations, the greatest accomplishments.