Management prof advocates harmony in business world

Management Professor Michael London once spent a year living in New York, concentrating on developing his musical talents. Although he is now co-director of the Wharton School's Management 100 program, he has not abandoned his music career in the least. London recently released a CD, Everything Is New, which combines elements of folk, country swing, blues, jazz and new-age with lyrics that draw from London's teaching experiences as well as his earlier psychology research. Many of London's songs, for example, are about experiences he had working with freshmen as they adjusted to college life. "I'm fascinated by this transition," he said. The CD's title and a namesake song reflect the themes of adjustment and change. In the same way that London's professional work provides musical inspiration, his singing helps develop his teaching skills. Performing taught him to control large groups, he said, particularly because a music audience can be rowdier than an academic one. But, he quickly added, the two experiences are "surprisingly similar." He compares, for example, an entire class uniting around an academic subject and an audience bonding around music. Seeking to mesh his two interests, London -- who also co-chairs Wharton's Undergraduate Program in Leadership, Teamwork and Communication -- wants to bring the world of arts and culture together with the more rigid business community. He noted that most people, even business types, are interested in the arts in some way, whether through participation or observation. "[The arts] are places where people want to be," he said. "They're places where people don't check themselves at the door before they come in." Combining his two worlds, London does consulting work, workshops and presentations in which he uses music and drawing to "unleash" people's creativity. He sees music and art as a means through which people can break out of their routines, coordinate talents and develop better relationships at work. London also instills this philosophy in his students. Wharton senior Judy Kawaguchi, who has worked with London for three years as a teaching assistant, said he inspired her to believe she can study business and still pursue her interests in the performing arts. She said London is "living proof that life isn't just about doing business. You can incorporate what's practical and your dream." Wharton and Engineering senior Maja Sliwinski also sees London as a mentor. She noted that his music has made him more laid-back -- "a much looser Wharton professor. "Students know they can trust him and talk to him, not because he's a musician, but because of his easy-going personality." Kawaguchi, meanwhile, said she sees a different side of London when he performs. "You usually see him as the suit-wearing professor," she said. "When you see him as a musician, he wears a hat and dresses more casually. "It's nice because you can relate to him more. You see the human side and not just the stuffy professor side." London gave Wharton freshmen a glimpse of his "other side" when he performed with his band at this year's Wharton freshman picnic. "People are not one dimensional," London said. "They need to keep developing themselves in other ways besides business." Wharton freshman Michael Droessler was especially impressed that London took time out to perform for them. "I rarely see a professor outside of class, let alone performing music," he said. As a short reprieve from his teaching load this semester, London will be playing at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Bryn Mawr, Pa., October 25.The first song on his CD, "Stickin' Close to Home," is on a sampler that is being sent to acoustic radio stations throughout the country.