Ensemble – Timing – The sooner, the better
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There are a lot of sayings that pop into my head with this one: “Timing is everything.” “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” All of these tried and true quotes and yet we still downplay the importance of timing.
A prime example, in our work, is when companies and schools call us in to work on Ensemble Building with their staff or students (or both). 9 times of out 10, we’re called in when it’s almost too late. Well, let me phrase that clearer… when it’s too late for a 2-3 hour master class solution. It’s never too late to start working on building a strong, positive, trusting ensemble. But the longer you wait, the more work it is to create fresh, solid ground to build upon.
I think at the beginning of the year (fiscal or school), there seems to be a lot on the table; a lot to accomplish, a lot to prepare for, a lot of new people to train, etc. And the thought of allotting some time at the beginning for something as intangible as Ensemble Building, seems like a severe waste of time. It’s understandable. But in the grand scheme of things, a little bit of time used at the beginning gets everyone on the same page, with the same common goal. Plus, it initiates the newbies, shakes the cobwebs or blinders off the regular crowd and bonds the team to tackle whatever comes down the pike as a group.
When we come in to projects late in the game (and sometimes that only means a few months in) this is what we normally see:
Cliques – splintered social groups with common grievances and insider jokes or shorthand. Sometimes based on status, looks, experiences, tenure.
“Us against Them” mentality – Whether it’s teachers vs. students, staff vs. management, actors vs. director, the vibe is the same. The commonality is found in status. Very much like Cliques but on a broader scale. Cliques can (and normally do) exist inside an “Us against Them” structure… so now you have 2 walls to breakdown. Fun!
“Looking Out for Me” reactions – When there’s no sense of team or ensemble, the gut instinct is to take care of yourself… because who else will if not you?! This starts out simply enough, and in a lot of cases is seen at first as a great thing. The person that’s always the first to take an assignment can quickly become the person that doesn’t give anyone else a chance because they believe everyone else is incompetent. If this independent instinct isn’t balanced with a sense that the group can also do well, can also accomplish tasks… then it warps into a completely different story.
Balance is the key.
Giving Up – When someone hits a wall and they feel there’s no group support, they will give up the fight. The wall doesn’t have to be any huge obstacle (emotional, mental or physical). We need the energy of the group, no matter the size, to push through our walls and succeed. Other perspectives, personalities and skills help keep tasks from draining our energy, blowing up out of all proportions and defeating us.
When looking at all of these traits that create inside an unsupported, untended team… it makes me wonder, why don’t we spend more time early on to rally the troupes, so to speak?
SELF OBSERVATIONS
1. What is your experience with groups that have been left unchecked? What was your role inside them?
2. When have you noticed that “too late” feeling when the moment seems to have slipped you by? How did that inform later events?