When I'm not training and coaching I write songs. I've been writing songs since my early teens and over those decades have worked with bands to bring them to life both live and in the studio. Sometimes you are John Lennon; sometimes Keith Lemon, it really depends on the band. My claim to fame is that Simon Cowell once told me to get the "f$$k" out of his office.
I took the hint and working now as I do in leadership training it occurs to me that a great team is like a great band. Members of the team need to feel free to improvise and be creative. They need to solo from time to time and their leader is the person charged with making that happen. Conductor, conduit...call it what you want.
In bands , as with teams, the real enemy is the success trap. This is when members of the team don't break the norms and paradigms instead opting to take the safe route and only do what's worked before. The routine and habits of a team can block creativity so if you find yourself in pure problem solving mode then stop rewind and start improvising.
Great leaders dislodge routines and let their people improvise. They rarely critique initial ideas and instead choose to let people co act with them through encouragement. There is a place for problem solving in all teams but it shouldn't be the first instrument the team reaches for.
Surround yourself with improvisers and problem solvers. A healthy blend will allow creativity to flow and who knows? You might just create a masterpiece, a symphony of work that it worth celebrating.
Ps. If you want to listen to some of my music and see if Simon Cowell was right then check this out. http://www.theree-vahs.co.uk
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