We shared why it is important to recognise the emotional in learning interventions, and how to use metaphor to spark creativity in learning and change programmes. Of course we had to do this practically and so had a lots of loud music and a professional wind quintet on stage, enabling delegates to immerse themselves emotionally and creatively. We were excited to see the delegates come out with new perspectives on their own situations, which they will be able to take back and apply in their own work environments.

The biggest challenge facing organisations who are grappling with change and learning, is getting people to want to change and learn. That problem is an emotional one – yet most organisations will try and solve it rationally – and then wonder why change is so difficult.

So how do we get people to want to change (or learn)?

Well 2 ways – we recognise where people are emotionally – dare to ask, and be willing to be very real about it.  And then help them discover new possibilities in their current situation, by providing an environment that sparks fresh perspective and creative ideas.

This is where music comes in – it is the most emotional art form and something that everyone responds to. And it also offers a powerful metaphor, which in itself sparks powerful insight. It is very aligned to the “provocative” thought process that Dr Edward de Bono spoke so passionately about on Wednesday.

It was a privilege to speak at the conference, headlined by such luminaries as Dr Edward de Bono, Ray Kurzweil and Jaron Lanier. We have been humbled to have been mentioned alongside these guys as one of the highlights of the conference.

Check out these reviews:

Don Taylor, Chairman of Learning Technologies speaking for Personnel Today (scroll down to the video at the bottom of the article, Kate Graham and The Training Journal.

I had the privilege of accompanying the exceptional violinist, Giovanni Guzzo, in a performance of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto at St John’s, Smith Square, London recently. His performance was brilliant.

Guzzo has 3 characteristics, which need to be balanced to create a truly exceptional performance:  Raw talent, the ability to inspire, and team spirit.

Raw Talent

All star performers must have the talent, technique and potential to be exceptional. They need to deliver time after time and minimise errors. This is a given. I was struck by how Guzzo consistently nailed the incredibly high notes. I was also struck with how his performance was lifted several notches from rehearsal to performance.  He raised his game on the night.

The ability to inspire

Concerto soloists can either inspire the orchestra or demotivate it by how they manage their relationship with the orchestra; star performers in the work place likewise. Those who are arrogant, aloof and not willing to get involved alienate themselves. Their impact can make the organisation feel undervalued and overall performance is not maximised.

Or you can do it like Guzzo. He was inspirational, because despite all his raw talent he was humble and engaging. During the rehearsals and concert, he repeatedly encouraged the orchestra – a knowing smile, a nod of recognition, a sparkle of the eyes when sections really did their bit well, a word of advice here and there. This lifted the orchestra. We all felt valued and part of his success.

Team spirit

So often, the “special ones” are kept apart. Concerto soloists have their groupies, their own room and can keep themselves to themselves. Guzzo socialised with the orchestral team and appeared not to see himself apart from us. This enabled us to feel we were all part of the overall performance. Star performers in the work place need to be aware of the impact they have, and engaging in the wider team is critical to the overall performance.

The show was staged at London’s O2 Arena, with about 25,000 people watching live and 4 million on TV. It started by an extravagant number from the re-unified Take That, and shortly followed up by another big stage show mimed by Rhianna. So far the crowd were getting what they expected – a big show!

Then Mumford and Sons step up. Given that this would have been their largest live show to date (by far) you may have expected them to go for one of their big hits like Little Lion Man. Instead they went for one of their most intimate songs, Timshel.

And they sang it acoustically, huddled around a single microphone, with guitar and banjo. It was brave stuff indeed in a bastian of commercial pop, that this very real band made a statement – they were going to do it their way, that they would stay true to their beliefs “to make music that matters, without taking themselves too seriously.”

Now translate that to the world of work and business. In the commercial environment – in the thrust of success and expectation, how refreshing it is to see some very real, passionate and bold statements of doing things differently, yet with success. Of bucking the trend, and of staying true to your values.

What does that look like for you? Lessons for all of us there me thinks.

My 7 yr old son has started a new school this term. And naturally he was a little apprehensive before term started – not knowing anyone, not sure where he would fit in, getting used to the new routines etc.

A few days after he started we chatted to a 12 year old family friend about this, and she shared something profound.

She encouraged my son by saying that starting something new allows you to be who you are and who you want to be; it allows you to stop being what you are not.

I was firstly quite astounded that a 12 year old came out with such an insight. But secondly thought this is spot on.

So at the start of this year, you may not be changing schools, but you are changing a year. 2010 is in the past.  So what are you going to stop doing in 2011 which is not who you really are? And how will you be who you really are in 2011?

We hope you enjoy our Christmas song Heavenly Peace. The words are old, the music is new.

If you’re looking for a new take on engaging your poeple in 2011 we would love to talk!

With best wishes for a Happy Christmas and prosperous 2011, from the Moving Performance team.

Heavenly Peace, written and performed by Hannah Holley, Associate, Moving Performance.

The symphony orchetsra as a metaphor for a corporation / organisation is much written about and commented on. I came across an article written on how “orchestrating success” in an orchestra is a useful metaphor for orchestrating success in the project management world.

Written by “The Risk Doctor“, Dr David Hillson, who is a widely respected authority on project management, it discusses three elements of success for an orchestra:

1. Fulfilling the composer’s intentions;
2. Performing technically well collectively and individually;
3. Meeting and exceeding the expectations of the audience.

And the article parallels these with the successful outcome of a project, namely:

1. Understanding why the project is taking place in the first place and aligning it to the vision of the project sponsor;
2. Everyone in the project has the responsbility to be technically capable and ensure their skills are ever developing;
3. Delivering value and benefit to the project stakeholders.

The power of metaphor is it provides insight to one’s own role, organisation and environment, by observing something completely different, yet in parallel. At Moving Performance we are developing these “in practice” so the music metaphors are not just written about or references, rather they are experienced. And the experience anchors the learning and metaphor in what is quite probably a life changing experience.

What struck me was how Rattle led and empowered the orchestra. His leadership was partially directive, but in the main was coaxing and shaping this extraordinary gifted group of musicians, making minute tweaks here and there in a quest for perfection. Rattle really gets how conducting is all about empowering the talent in front of you. And what talent he has in front of him – the players are astonishingly good – no question. Being a horn player I was spellbound by the tone of Stefan Dohr, who must surely be the best horn player alive today, if not one of the greatest of all time.

Check this video out of the BPO playing Mahler 5 with Rattle. Note how expressive Rattle is – it is as if he is saying to his team – listen – hear that – that is what we are aiming for. The joy in his face is evident. This joy lifts and inspires his team. I think there are learns in here for any business leader – do you express your  joy and satisfaction; how does your team know when they are making the right sound; that the performance is on the mark; are they inspired by the expression on your face?

But I also love the majestic horn playing in this too!

I was so inspired by hearing the Berlin Phil playing Mahler that I have been very fortunate enough to procure some tickets to their next Mahler concert in London in February 2011. It was sold out in December 2009! Can’t wait.

In my experience and in many people I talk to, the vast majority of learning is forgotten within weeks of a course taking place. Don’t get me wrong, the learning was good at the time, and I too filled in those promise sheets to do things differently when I went back to work. But lets face it, once back at work the swamp of e mails, and to-do lists take over. The course just becomes a vague memory.

Change and learning only really happens when there is an emotional compulsion to change. If courses don’t “get you” emotionally, the learning is going to be limited. If the course and the way it is delivered is not distinctly memorable, the learning won’t be either. The experience has to be memorable and anchored in the participants emotions to add long lasting value.

We are doing this at Moving Performance. And working with some very left-thinking blue chip organisations in the process – the sort of organisations you would not think would do this sort of stuff! It is brilliant. Getting accountants and consultants composing music, and learning about their own personal impact in the process – which in turn improves their client interactions. Helping groups of individuals in the public sector achieve what they genuinely believe would be impossible. Creating corporate legends and stories which last.

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this approach – so please feel free to share your own experiences of training / learning programmes and which ones have stuck with you.

What is it about big worldwide sporting events that we love? I think the one word that sums it up is HOPE.

We all hope our teams will do well – I hope that England will win it this year. We hope the underdog will overcome the odds; we hope there will be some fantastic goals; we hope this World Cup will draw South Africa together as the 1995 Rugby World Cup did.

Big sporting events capture our imagination because they demonstrate what is good and great about life – friendship, fun, common purpose, unity – they give us hope for something better, they draw us back to who we really are.

And music has its part to play in all this – it provides the sound track to this joy and hope. Who can forget the the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the Freddie Mercury song or how the 1990 World Cup took opera, Pavarotti and Nessun Dorma to global acclaim well outside the hallowed turf of the world’s opera houses.

Hope is the name of the song which has been recorded for the opening ceronony by Siphiwo Ntshebe, who tragically died shortly after recording it. I had the privilege of seeing Siphiwo perform live at a corporate event in South Africa six years ago. His performance back then was wonderful and his passing is a great great loss to South Africa and the world.

The playing of Hope at the Opening Ceromony today will be moving – it will be sad because Siphiwo is no longer with us; yet the hope he gave to many during his life, will be multiplied to the billions watching the opening ceremony today.

Enjoy the World Cup and hold on to hope.