African drummerIn everything there is a rhythm.

There is rhythm in a meeting.  Rhythm in a day.  Rhythm in a week.

There is rhythm in a project and rhythm in an organization.

And the leader is the drummer.

While the singers in the band are out front, and while the lead guitarists get the biggest solos, without the drummer – or with an off-rhythm drummer – they wouldn’t be as successful (or popular).

Organizationally, leaders at all levels create a rhythm.  When the pace of each rhythm is in sync, great synergy can occur.  Out of sync, creates problems, frustration, turnover, and poorer-than-possible results.

While there is likely multiples lessons and posts in the organizational leadership pace and rhythm concept, let’s make this personal for now.

You, as a leader are the drummer for your team.  What pace are you setting?  Is it too laid back and mellow?  Is it too frenetic?  Does it ever change?

Do you consider how your actions are setting the rhythm for your team’s sense of urgency, sense of fun, and level of accomplishment?

I will write more on this metaphor in the future, but for now, make this your leadership activity for the day:

Consider your approach, behavior and habits and reflect on how they are setting the pace and rhythm for your team and organization. 

Ask peers team members what they see as the rhythm/pace/energy of your organization, and decide if it is the rhythm you want.

You have the drumsticks.  You create the rhythm. Begin today to create it more purposefully.

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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  1. I love this metaphor and your post! Many times, leaders are not aware that it is them setting the rhythm! They see that flurry of activity, that mindless pace and do not realize they have been beating that drum too fast! My husband has a program called the SOUND OF A LEADER (part of our ART OF BEING A LEADER series) where he uses a Jazz Quartet to teach how leaders build teams. His metaphor for the drums is much like yours. Powerful stuff! Thanks.

  2. Great post – time and timing are important leadership skills Kevin. My book ‘Sex, Leadership and Rock’n’Roll’, acclaimed by Tom Peters, also deals with what you can learn from music about business.

    Peter

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