Let's make our work matter
My story:
I've never felt like I was doing anything important with my life and my career. I am always busy taking on a new job, working on a project, or preparing for a performance. But within all that busyness, why did I feel like my work has no meaning? Why did I feel like there must be more to a career than trying to break through the noise, rise through the ranks, and gain industry affirmation? What was I not doing right?
Today, I want to share with you how my desperate attempts to answer those questions actually led me on a journey to uncover my own mission and purpose:
Ever since I started conducting, I couldn't help but obsess about making the experience worthwhile for those who worked with me. I didn't know why or how to articulate this burning desire. I just know that I wanted people to walk away thinking it was the best working experience of their life.
I would obsess over making the parts perfect with matching bowings and just the right paper size. I would ensure the rehearsal conditions were perfect with just the right amount of space between the chairs and no broken stands - not even the ones that work but won't stay up. I would be transparent about why we are rehearsing certain things and take time to provide a birds-eye view of the whole process from start to end. I valued my own integrity in my depth of preparation and artistry, while trusting the musicians to bring their own integrity. I allowed musicians to have freedom and tried hard to not micromanage. If it makes sense, it works for me - even if it may not be what I had in mind to begin with. Finally, I aimed to demonstrate the purpose and context of our roles so we all know why we are important in the larger picture.
I knew these things made a difference and I valued them greatly. Yet, I did not know how to articulate and justify why to myself and others. Sometimes it felt like I was the only one in the world who cared about these things.
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Finding the words:
For most of my professional life, I was also really interested in learning about leadership ideas in business. I realized later that I was trying to find affirmation of my values in those ideas because I couldn't find the affirmation within my own industry. I wanted proof that my natural inclination of caring for the musicians was one that is valid. I wanted concrete explanations for why I was obsessed with those little details.
In my research and learning, I kept on being drawn to these three topics: 1) building organizations using purpose and shared values, 2) promoting psychological safety, and 3) cultivating employee-centric workplaces. I just found them endlessly fascinating. I read about them and I started writing about them about a year ago. And 7 months into writing the blog, I had a revelation. I realized that these topics and words perfectly describe what I value as a leader and that they actually all fell under the large umbrella of job satisfaction.
This realization meant I not only had the words to describe my values, but I also had a body of research and ideas from the business industry to help flesh out why and how it works. I was able to connect the dots. I was able to link my interests and values as a leader to understanding why I was always inclined to provide the best experience for musicians as a conductor.
And now I had words to articulate my burning desire: I cared about the musicians being happy doing their jobs. I created an experience where they were motivated by collective purpose, felt safe to bring their best work even if it included some failures along the way, and felt their work mattered and that they are valued.
It really helped to have those words to gain clarity, direction, and motivation for myself. I've always had it in me, but I couldn't see it. I had to slowly uncover it from all the noise. Now I feel like my work can really begin - because I know where I'm going and why I'm doing it.
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My call to action:
I now can articulate that I really want to improve how satisfied musicians can feel at their work every day. And when I don't see this being maximized to its full potential, I really want to solve this problem and answer questions I've had for a long time about why we are not maximizing our happiness as musicians.
Here are some questions I'm curious about:
How do we use purpose and shared values to
improve our hiring processes?
distinguish between our arts organizations?
motivate musicians?
How do we create workspaces where musicians always feel safe to
speak up with their ideas about what works and what doesn't work?
try something radical that stretches them artistically?
make mistakes and fail as part of innovation?
How do we help musicians feel
that their work matters?
that their time is valued?
fulfilled and purposeful when they show up every day?
As I do more writing and thinking, I realize how much I don't know, how many problems exist that are undiscovered and unsolved, and how I am not smart enough to solve these problems on my own.
So it occurred to me that I'm not here on this blog to provide all the answers. I'm here to find the other people who want to answer those same questions I'm interested in.
I know there are people out there (like you reading this now) who have some expertise, experiences, and ideas. I'm curious to learn from you and hear your perspectives. I need and want your help!
If you are one of these people, here's something you can do right now:
Starting February 2022, I'll be hosting a Zoom call every other month to hold space to have these conversations. Together, we can brainstorm, ask questions, wonder about what if's, and the best part is that there is no pressure to have all the answers by the end.
And I believe simply engaging with like-minded people will feel like progress. Sometimes we may feel stuck simply because we feel alone and helpless because we don't see others around us doing the same things. I certainly felt that way.
So I hope you'll join me. To join at any point, please fill out this Google form and I will be in touch. Look forward to seeing you at a call!
Let's make our work matter.
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