Just because you’re not a drummer, doesn’t mean you don’t have to keep time.
Thelonius Monk

I play in a band. And our drummer, Lee Bittner is awesome. He played with Big Brother and the Holding Company back in the day. And he can totally keep time. He’s the master of the beat.

But, that doesn’t mean I – or any of the other musicians – can just forget about the tempo. We each have to take full responsibility for keeping the beat – even as we recognize Lee’s special role as maestro of time & rhythm.

Take this and apply it to your work.

What’s the “beat” that keeps your work moving, alive, and energized?
Is it:

• The power of the vision?
• The value of the contribution?
• The quality of the relationships?
• The beauty of the products?

What’s the “beat” for you?

And, who’s responsible for keeping the beat?
Lot’s of people say it’s the job of the authorized leader. And I wouldn’t disagree. I just wouldn’t stop there.
To paraphrase Thelonius Monk: Just because you’re not the authorized leader, doesn’t mean you don’t have to keep the beat. You’ve got to keep the energy, heart, meaning, and life of your work alive. And not just for yourself – for the people you work with and for.

So, where is your team losing the beat?
Where are you or others: getting off track, out of synch, feeling dis-heartened, unfocused, or cynical?

How can you get yourself and others back into rhythm with what matters most about your work?

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