Chapter 5: Leading From Any Chair
I loved reading this chapter because it really reminded me of the TED video. I really think that Zander's realization of his presence as a "silent conductor" and his true power being that ability to make others powerful, paints a great picture of a true leader. The fact that Zander can just stand at a podium, silently, and command such attention and creative passion with just his gestures really is a sign of respect, especially when he can tell of this respect just by looking in his musicians' eyes. In addition, the fact that Zander can admit his own mistakes in front of his musicians, I believe, is the greatest sign of being a great leader--knowing your strengths and your weaknesses and being able to admit when it's your fault when something goes wrong.
Chapter 6: Rule Number 6
Rule Number 6 is one of the most important sayings I have ever known. It is so simple, yet so true. The simple fact of not taking anything so seriously, can really change the atmosphere in a room or change a person's demeanor entirely, especially with those who hold powerful positions (i.e. managers or supervisors). Rule Number 6 is also a great way for individuals to identify their serious and competitive side.
Chapter 7: The Way Things Are
I love that Zander incorporated the film, Babe, in this chapter. Sometimes, it's the simplest explanation that can really hit home with such a complex/abstract concept. Many people still question "the way things are," but if take one specific instance, it's easy to see the big picture. Like Zander said, "This practice is to be present to the way things are, including our feelings about the way things are" and it "can help us clarify the next step that will take us in the direction we want to go." However, it's not about accepting things, it's about being able to distinguish between our assumptions, our feelings, and the facts--what has happened or what is happening.
Chapter 8: Giving Way to Passion
The practice in this chapter has two steps. The first step is to notice where you are holding back, and let go. The second step is to participate wholly.
This chapter features Zander's story of "One-Buttock Playing." The TED video did a great job in putting a visual representation to this story. I absolutely loved how Zander demonstrated to us the success in one-buttock (piano) playing. When his young pianist finally let himself go with his music (not holding anything back), he found himself delivering a powerful message to the audience through his music. Not only was he successful in playing the piano piece, but he also had his audience emotionally struck by his playing. What a difference it made, to finally let himself go. he didn't hold back on anything and he gave himself entirely to his piece, playing with confidence.
========================================================
SOURCES:
Zander, B. & Zander, R. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
All pictures are from me personal collection
Zander, B. & Zander, R. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
All pictures are from me personal collection
========================================================
Jessica, you’ve really gotten to the core of what the Zanders have done here; they’ve found emotionally engaging stories that exemplify how we should perceive our world if we’re going to have control over it. Sometimes I think the stories are a bit too dependent on specific life situations, (have you noticed how many of his stories are about musicians who are already successful?) But the core message is always a truism about how to live life successfully, or at least how to appreciate the success one is already having. Like you, I also loved the story of “one-buttock playing.” I think it’s great when a person can let go, relax and let their talent loose. I think this is another great example of an already talented person who was able to ease up on themselves in order to achieve even more greatness. If you recall, the student was sitting TOO formally, which tells me he probably worked “both his buttocks” off in the past. I actually apply a similar strategy when coaching my fencing students. I train them hard, almost to the point where they can’t handle it. Martial arts can be psychologically difficult in a way other sports don’t always include, so it’s a fine line, but I take pride in always pushing my students to their limit without breaking them. Then, when we go to competitions I get them to relax, enjoy themselves and revel in the game. Suddenly all their hard work is forgotten and they can lose themselves in the art. From what I know of you, I’ll be you push your students in the same way, working them hard to achieve success then allowing them to truly enjoy what they’ve learned from you!
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to respond to your post on Chapter 7. Zander’s idea has been expressed many times before. Once of the best ways I’ve ever read it is through Stoic philosophy. Epictetus was a main philosopher of this line of thought. Basically, the idea of Stoicism is that there are aspects of a person’s life that are within his or her control and there are aspects that are not within his or her control. Happiness is when that person only tries to control that which he or she can, while accepting those things that happen for which he or she has no control over. And unhappiness is when one tries to control something for which he or she should just accept because he or she cannot control it.
I like this philosophy of life because it provides a sense of calm when things get heated. Traffic jams are a good example. Because there is nothing to be done when you are sitting in your car on the highway/parking lot during a jam, a better route is to tell oneself that nothing can be done about it, and accept the fate that one is currently living. Now the key here is to build a habit of telling oneself this determination of what one can and cannot control. The habit eventually is incorporated into the everyday being of the person, and we generally recognize those sorts of people as calm and collected.
While Zander’s words are not wrong, I don’t believe he does enough to take the possibility of accepting the way things are into the actuality of accepting the way things are.
I hope this has been informative!
Jessica, your post on this week’s reading was excellent as you really hit on the ideas that resonated with you. I agree that you could see Zander in the TED video as he shared in each chapter. How could we not get that “one buttock” image out of our heads???!!!
ReplyDeleteIt seemed that the flow of your post also painted the picture of Zander’s honesty with his own mistakes, into the idea of not taking one’s self too seriously and Rule Number 6, all the way to performance that resonates with others. All of these ideas seemed threaded together, don’t you think?
I thought of how relevant Chapter Six must have been to you as you teach and care for your young students. When he spoke about “competent people” helping them to make it through, what I’ve learned about you fit that image for me. With all the dynamics that go along with your job, it’s nice to know you have the heart that you do for your students! Great post!!!