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Steve Barnett is known as The Silent Conductor. Using only simple percussion instruments, boundless energy, and physical humour—without uttering a word—the Silent Conductor turns an audience of untrained, unrehearsed individuals into an orchestra that makes music in amazing harmony. The music they create together amazes and inspires.
He has led groups of thousands of novices, guiding them to create music that rivals professionals in its transcendental beauty. His unique approach knits teams together and fosters unity. Despite his silence, his music speaks volumes, unifying and inspiring diverse groups.
Whether his audience is 30 people in a conference room, 3000 in an auditorium, or 30,000 in a stadium, the outcome is always unity, creativity, collaboration, and joy.
Steve has been a ‘Non-Speaker’ on the Professional Speakers circuit for the past 22 years. He has shared his unique, nonverbal method of learning and leadership through musical metaphor in over 50 countries, performing at venues from the Royal Albert Hall to the MGM Grand.
Contact Great British Speakers today to book The Silent Conductor, Steve Barnett for your next event.
Steve Barnett was born and raised in South Africa where he was infused with the country’s unique rhythm. He believes that the pulse and energy of his homeland are a real value to share with the world. Steve has been a ‘Non-Speaker’ on the Professional Speakers circuit for the past 27 years. Without saying a word, he conducts his audiences and they become his orchestra.
Using simple percussion instruments, humour, and positive energy he engages his audience with dynamic ease and moulds an orchestra from each group he encounters, be they 30 people in corporate surroundings, 3 000 in an auditorium or 30 000 in a soccer stadium.
Imagine an entire audience of non-musicians effortlessly transforming into an orchestra in mere minutes. Imagine a conductor who does not utter a word, yet who speaks volumes – about leadership, communication, cooperation and synergy. Imagine a learning experience more powerful than words.
Steve has developed a unique non-verbal approach to group events. Every member of the audience plays an instrument, and so becomes an integral part of an interactive, musical encounter that crosses all barriers of language and culture.
Regardless of the level of musical experience—from accomplished musicians to complete novices—all participants are united, motivated and inspired. Using facial expressions and body language as his tools of communication, Steve guides his audience in the discovery of the power of collaboration with these Basic Rules of Engagement:
Actions speak louder than words
Make work serious fun
Use the power of one-to-one
Smile, make eye contact, listen
Encourage the good stuff
Each session combines the laughter and celebration of making music with the joy of communicating together on the most fundamental level.
Steve’s engaging performance is a dramatic illustration of what can be achieved by working together in a positive way. Cultural, social and language barriers are forgotten as the audience becomes part of an experience that transcends words, where music is the metaphor.
There is no rehearsal, and there is no need for anyone in the audience to have any experience playing a musical instrument. Through his orchestrating, Steve subtly and quietly teaches the principles of effective leadership, effortless innovation, teamwork and change management. His orchestrations are a dramatic illustration of what can be achieved by working together in a positive, constructive collaboration.
Steve’s specialist areas include:
– Non-verbal communication
– Motivation through positive engagement
– Leadership through action
– Learning through experience
Steve has conducted and animated audiences in over 50 countries across 6 continents with hundreds of thousands of ‘performers’ over the past 27 years. He has guided audiences in venues ranging from Wembley Stadium and the Royal Albert Hall in London, to bush lodges in Africa, sharing the podium with the likes of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Bill Clinton. Despite having worked with hundreds of thousands of ‘musicians’, every event Steve hosts is still unique.
‘Steve Barnett has an exceptional gift.’ Archbishop Desmond Tutu “
‘You will probably agree with the adage “To start as you mean to continue” and one reason for the huge success was your energetically powerful opening presentation conveyed exactly the correct spirit and message to the
EMEA audience.’ Anthony O’Mara, Trend Micro International
‘With the power of his hands and face, Steve Barnett managed to unite frozen Fins, sceptic Swedes, and dull Dutch with swinging Spaniards, rhythmic Romans, and passionate Portuguese in one harmonious orchestra. Unique, exceptional and fun.’
Laura Witjens, Multiplexx Technologies, UK
‘One can talk about ‘unity’, one can intellectualize about it, but all of this conjecture appears as nothing when you experience the real thing. It’s transcendent, it sets you free, it reveals our true potential.’ Louis Gavin, DDB South Africa
‘Organisations are realising that the rhythm of business cannot be separated from the rhythm of life. It was great to feel a part of the music.’
Paul von Musshenbroek: Win Win Group, RSA
Giving you feedback as ‘brilliant’ would be insulting you. We need a Shakespeare to coin a better word to describe how good you are!
Anand Murthy Raj: Agile Coach, India