The Great Finder of Things

Make It Match / The GREAT Finder of Things

In the classroom, I’m focusing on making it match.  High achievement comes from matched energy.  Great performers and great ensembles focus on making everything and anything match - pitch, articulation, emotion, dynamic, colors, etc.  Artistic choices matter, but how you execute those choices is critical.  

If you’re looking for a place to start, eliminate as many variables as possible.  For example, if you want to match note length and articulation strength in a passage, consider playing the passage multiple times on a single note name.  A middle octave tonic of the key center for that section or Concert F or Bb will work great.  I’m always amazed at how quickly the performers hear inconsistencies and adjust them when there are fewer variables to focus on.

As a leader, I’m focusing on what I’m looking for.

When the kids were little, I was given (or maybe I appointed myself, but let’s not get bogged down in the details 😉) the title of the Great Finder of Things for my “uncanny” ability to find items left around the house.

This week, I was reminded of my title while wandering around the house unable to find my wallet. (Let’s not be so quick to judge…your time is coming 😛.) It got me thinking. While the Great Finder of Things might not be needed as often as when the kids were little, I still tend to find what I’m looking for, but am I looking for what I really want to find?

As a leader, I’ve learned to be careful about what I’m looking for. As routine and fatigue set in, I’ll often default to looking for complacency, low energy, or negativity, and it isn’t hard to find them.

While these are important cultural issues that should be addressed, my leadership is significantly more effective when I enter a situation assuming everyone is trying their best. Even if things aren’t what I’m hoping for, that doesn’t mean negative intent is at the heart of the situation.

Often, if I can remain calm and objective instead of immediately leaping to a negative conclusion, I find that I’m surrounded by people who really are trying their best. They’re not trying to be negative or disruptive; sometimes, they just need a leader.

Remember:  Emotional control is a superpower.