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Sweet Sound Of Success

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By Art McNeil

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2008

Updated: 09/11/2008 12:36 am

After marrying a Tampa girl, building a house and starting a business I felt sufficiently settled to offer my services as a community volunteer. Online research identified a local group where I felt my experience might be an asset.

The initial phone call was promising. Everybody I talked to cared deeply about this worthy cause but unfortunately, enthusiasm and caring was about all they had going for them. Nobody could articulate what needed to be done let alone identify a potential role for me. Commitments were seldom kept and confusion reined supreme.

The strength of a single personality had transformed a great idea into reality. But growth caused problems. Ego unintentionally overrode any attempt to improve planning or establish disciplined work processes. Well-intentioned volunteers were departing so fast they needed a revolving door.

Organizations that are growing (or aspire to grow) are seldom impeded by a lack of intent, talent, or access to funding. Most often they become mired in complications brought on by creative leaders - the very people who faced start-up risks and made things happen in spite of insurmountable odds. If you belong to a community group or business that is struggling because of expansion, the following analogy may shed light on your concerns.

Like expert jazz groups, successful small companies and community groups create sweet music because a limited number of players are inspired by the leader's vision. Failures are often the result of poor cash management (it takes more to supply and house an orchestra), undisciplined staffing decisions, and a reliance on personalities rather than process. The group's vision, values and operating methods exist only in the heads of the leader and his/her original team. Jazz bands are capable of gaining huge audience appeal - provided they remain small.

The decision to grow means letting go of entrepreneurial (seat of the pants) methods and should not be taken lightly. Unlike their free wheeling jazz counterparts, musicians in larger groups follow a prearranged score. The conductor can't allow even talented members to blow, bow, or drum out spontaneous licks whenever the spirit moves them.

High-performing conductors demand that each position play exactly what has been written for them. In a large orchestra, collaboration fosters passion and pride, even though individual assignments may not always be challenging or exciting. Community groups and small business leaders must learn to read and write the business equivalent of a musical score. Group members at all levels must be taught to follow process, play their assigned parts well. The group leader's primary responsibility is to ensure that audiences remain delighted with what is being played.

Art McNeil is an executive coach with TEC Florida.

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