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Greetings,
With the great weather Vancouver has (occasionally) had lately, it's been tempting to sit on the deck with a frappucino in hand enjoying the sun. As the days grow longer, why don't you do the same? Throw on a mellow jazz CD, head out into the garden and kick back. But first, catch up on what's happening in Jazzthink... |
| QUOTES OF NOTE |
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Warren Bennis Changes his Mind
 I used to think that running an organization was equivalent to conducting a symphony orchestra. But I don't think that's quite it; it's more like jazz. There is more improvisation. Someone once wrote that the sound of surprise is jazz, and if there's any one thing that we must try to get used to in this world, it's surprise and the unexpected. In this world of chaos, there's no other way of doing things. Truly, we are living in a world where the only thing that's constant is change.
While change, as Machiavelli observed, "has no constituency," leaders must create an environment that embraces change not as a threat but as an opportunity. That requires leaders to be able to listen to - and act on - the multiple sounds taking place around them. Leaders must encourage their organizations to dance to forms of music yet to be heard.
Warren Bennis, Flight Plan for Leaders, or the Puck, the Plaque, and the Art of Jazz (USC Business, Spring 1994)
If you would like to read more quotes and thought-provokers, click here. |
| RESOURCES |
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Jazz and the Music of your Organization
Jazz sax great Charlie Parker once said, "Music is simply melody, harmony, and rhythm. That's it!" This is one of those simple truths that helps leaders make sense out of the complexity Bennis described in the opening quote. Click here to find out more about how to discover the melodies, harmonies, and rhythms of your organization.
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| A FUN PLACE |
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 The Best Jazz in Vancouver
Cory Weeds heads up the Jazzthink Trio and also owns the best jazz club in Vancouver - The Cellar. Why not get together with some friends and enjoy some great food and music. June is Jazz Festival month, so click here to find out what delights The Cellar has in store for you! I highly recommend the Jodi Proznik Quartet on June 22nd, and the Bill Weeds Quintet, featuring Joani Taylor, on July 1st. |
| TESTIMONIAL |
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Connecting Jazz, Leadership and Organizations
I now understand the powerful metaphor jazz offers to help us excel at being better leaders. The flow, the presentation of ideas, the casual learning environment and the great music were wonderful! I liked the TEAM acrostic - Talent, Enjoyment, Alignment, Manifestation. Lisa Caswell, Executive CoachBeing a Better Leader
To read more testimonials, click here. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Leadership Jazz
I was very honoured to have been invited to join the faculty in the Leadership Development programs at the Banff Centre. On May 29 I teamed with fellow Vancouverite Brian Tate at the Centre to do a presentation on Leadership Jazz. For more information on Brian Tate's work, click here. For information on the Banff Centre's Leadership Development programs, click here.
Yum! Ethics for Breakfast!
On Tuesday morning, June 12th at 7:15am, I spoke at the Ethics for Breakfast program in Vancouver on "Work-Life Balance and an Ethical Workplace." Click here for more information. | |
 In Vancouver the sun is finally shining on a (somewhat!) regular basis, and the temperatures are finally rising. Golf will become a weekly form of refreshment and reconnection with friends. I'll also be training for walking a marathon in San Francisco with Jill in October. I wish you all grace and growth in the month ahead!
Sincerely,
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