Leadership

Does your team ROCK?

April 8, 2009

Mtb-2Before I went to law school, I was a professional musician. I played the guitar and sang. Still do – sometimes. Music has always been a really big part of my life. In fact, my first TV memory was when the Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan Show. (I was only four years old, and after the show my dad bought me the “Meet the Beatles!” album. I still have it.) I think of just about everything in terms of music. So when I think of a law firm, I think about it in terms of a band and all the “players” in the band. So how’s your band? Are you totally awesome or would Simon Cowell shame you off the stage of American Idol? I hope you’re thinking, “We are totally awesome! We ROCK!”

But if you’re thinking, “Geez, we’d be laughed off the stage,” it’s time to do something about it. Here’s what you can do to get started moving from laughing stock karaoke wannabes to rock stars.

First: Start paying attention to your players. Do you have the right people in your band? I can’t stress how important this is! Think of the Beach Boys backing up Mick Jagger or anybody other than The Boss fronting the E Street Band.

Second: As the leader of your band, you get to write the songs and pick the playlist. You decide who plays a solo, and when. You even get to demand only green M&M’s in your dressing room. You get the picture. You’re the leader. You set the stage for success. You’re The Boss . . . literally.

Third: Practice, practice practice. No matter how good the players, the band will never be awesome without lots and lots and lots of practice. That means you, too, Boss. So, meet with your band every day. Make sure everybody knows their part. Make sure the bass player is in step with the drummer and everybody is playing the same song at the same time.

Start doing these three things on a really consistent basis. Then give your band a “shout out,” or raise your lighter (or your cell phone, depending upon your generation) in the air because you’re on your way to stardom.

Of course, like any great band, the practicing never stops. But taking these first three steps will get you moving in the right direction. Rock on.

1 Comment

  1. We have just given a copy of this article to everyone in the office! Good stuff.

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