Following the Journey of Zander Bleck

There are tons of talented musicians out there but most of them almost, always sound alike that sometimes you feel like nothing would surprise or fascinate you anymore. So when you stumble upon a song that really piqued your interest, you always find yourself digging about the whereabouts of the song, looking up the artist behind it and all the whatnots.

Recently, I came upon such a discovery while browsing youtube. I clicked on a cover of Bohemian Rhapsody and I was awestruck! The voice of the singer was totally beautiful and perfect for the song. Bohemian Rhapsody is one of my favorite songs from Queen and to hear someone singing parts of it with such emotion and with almost the same range as that of Freddie Mercury is simply wonderful. He wasn't just simply singing it, he's owning it and expressing his own style.

That singer had been Zander Bleck. I've heard of that name a couple of times before. Well I'm quite aware that he's a gorgeous model with a perfect physique, but a singer with a captivating voice, that is news to me! Curious and all, I decided to look up his other materials and I was totally surprised, the guy could really sing! His voice reminded me of my childhood days when I would usually wake up on weekends to the awesome sounds of 70's and 80's. Yet you wouldn't exactly get lost in time as his music still have that contemporary feel to it.

Temptation, a recently released track from his upcoming album got stuck with me for a couple of weeks, and until now it is still included in my playlist all the time (both the album and remix versions and I got the remix as my ringtone). It has that old rock n' roll vibe, it's quite upbeat and definitely sexy! That voice and style are both something I haven't heard of for awhile now. Listening to Zander is totally eargasmic! 

I'm really looking forward to the release of his album to hear more of his music and hopefully he'll have more visibility as well. I think he is a very promising artist who has his own flair and style and it's a great thing that he decided to share his gift to the world.

Official video of Temptation

Leadership Lessons from Cyrus The Great

Cyrus the Great founded the greatest empire in the history and he is widely known as the "Father of Iran," through his deeds on uniting the Medes with another major Iranian tribe, the Persians. He's also the first world leader to be called as "The Great" and was considered as a triumphant conqueror and a great warrior. For the Jewish people, Cyrus had been heralded as the "Liberator" and as "God's "anointed one" after letting the Jewish people to return to their homeland. Throughout his reign, he exercised a compassionate principle ruling with generosity instead of being a tyrant. He is the very image who symbolizes multiculturalism and religious tolerance. 

Out of all the legendary and renowned historical figures, Cyrus the Great has always been my favorite. Granted that he is still a conqueror which would make him a slaughterer, I still see him as a magnanimous, and principled leader. His traits, as written by historians are considerably admirable. As I was browsing around the net I saw an article from Forbes regarding Leadership Lessons from Cyrus the Great as written by Xenophon. I'd like to share it here as I believe that each one of us should adapt these principles in our life.

9 Timeless Leadership Lessons from Cyrus the Great 

Be Self-Reliant
“Never be slow in replenishing your supplies. You’ll always bee on better terms with your allies if you can secure your own provisions…Give them all they need and your troops will follow you to the end of the earth.”

Be Generous
“Success always calls for greater generosity–though most people, lost in the darkness of their own egos, treat it as an occasion for greater greed. Collecting boot [is] not an end itself, but only a means for building [an] empire. Riches would be of little use to us now–except as a means of winning new friends.”

Be Brief
“Brevity is the soul of command. Too much talking suggests desperation on the part of the leader. Speak shortly, decisively and to the point–and couch your desires in such natural logic that no one can raise objections. Then move on.”

Be a Force for Good
“Whenever you can, act as a liberator. Freedom, dignity, wealth–these three together constitute the greatest happiness of humanity. If you bequeath all three to your people, their love for you will never die.”

Be in Control
[After punishing some renegade commanders] “Here again, I would demonstrate the truth that, in my army, discipline always brings rewards.”

Be Fun
“When I became rich, I realized that no kindness between man and man comes more naturally than sharing food and drink, especially food and drink of the ambrosial excellence that I could now provide. Accordingly, I arranged that my table be spread everyday for many invitees, all of whom would dine on the same excellent food as myself. After my guests and I were finished, I would send out any extra food to my absent friends, in token of my esteem.”

Be Loyal
[When asked how he planned to dress for a celebration] “If I can only do well by my friends, I’ll look glorious enough in whatever clothes I wear.”

Be an Example
“In my experience, men who respond to good fortune with modesty and kindness are harder to find than those who face adversity with courage.”

Be Courteous and Kind
“There is a deep–and usually frustrated–desire in the heart of everyone to act with benevolence rather than selfishness, and one fine instance of generosity can inspire dozens more. Thus I established a stately court where all my friends showed respect to each other and cultivated courtesy until it bloomed into perfect harmony.”

adapted from Forbes.com, written by Ryan Holiday, 4/19/2012