Vision isn’t just for what you want to achieve: it’s for who and how you want to be in the world. This type of vision-of-ourselves’ is often called ‘values’.
There’s a lot to say about values – and especially how values and culture sit together and slide around the place.
But today is about The Maestro. At Seth’s recommendation I’ve been reading The Art of Possibility (TaoP) by Rosamund Stone and Ben Zander (UK|US). It’s a fun read, inspiring and of course to be taken with a pinch of salt. Reading it led me on to watching a couple of youtube clips of Ben working with young musicians.
The main thing that struck me is how already-really-good young musicians will sacrifice time and money to work with this Maestro, because of a combination of his knowledge, skill and experience, but also (I think) because of his generosity.
My question is this: allowing for the possibility that you could become a maestro, what sort of maestro would you choose to be?
What is it about you and the way you work that will make people want to partner with you, work with you, learn from you?
The young musicians working with Ben clearly believe that he can help them to get better. Ben talks about ‘shining eyes’ – the look you see when people are deeply engaged – enrolled (see TaoP) – and joyful about what they’re doing. This is why Ben is interested in helping people get better – so that they can make a contribution.
Are you, is your organisation, good enough at what it does that it makes a difference, that people want to learn from you?
And do you do it generously, in such a way that it’s a pleasure to work with or for you, as well as being served by you? Could more of it be fun?
What do you want to be known for, by your colleagues, by your suppliers, by the person who answers the phone at the next place you call?
What will make people want to come back to work with you again?