Before Monday, my son had never touched a pair of drumsticks. By Friday, he was jamming to Nirvana, Green Day, and Survivor like he’d been born on stage.
And it wasn’t just him. School of Rock took a crew of 8–11-year-old total beginners—and in one week turned them into a band.
The secret?
They didn’t force kids into roles. They exposed them to everything—keys, bass, drums, vocals—and let them find their groove. They created a safe space to learn, mess up, and try again.
We thought Parker would grab a guitar. Turns out, drums were his calling.
Somewhere along the way to adulthood, we forget the simple principles that spark creativity. If you want your team to hit its own version of “Nirvana in 5 Days,” try this:
Day 1 – Fall in love with the problem
Grab a colleague or two. Spend 30 minutes unpacking a business challenge from every angle, including the cost of doing nothing. Imagine the opportunity if you could fix it.
Day 2 – Play your instrument
Assign roles—think colored hats. The yellow hat hunts for possibilities; the black hat spots risks. Like a band, stick to your part while staying in rhythm with the group. Spend 45 minutes generating ideas and flagging obstacles.
Day 3 – Go solo
Take 30 minutes to flesh out your solution. Map the positive impact, break it into smaller steps, and define how you’ll measure success.
Day 4 – Jam together
Reconvene for 60 minutes. Compare your approaches, note overlaps and divergences, and blend the best of both. Pick a pilot path and set time-bound next steps.
Day 5 – Celebrate the set
Take 30 minutes to recognize each person’s unique contribution. Bonus: create custom Play-Doh awards to keep it fun and memorable.
This week, I facilitated a collaboration workshop with a theatre company. We explored communication styles, motivations, and each person’s Most Important Thing. We balanced reflection with play.
What struck me most was their willingness to learn from each other—across levels and tenure. They didn’t shy away from discomfort. They named it, worked through it, and kept the big picture in mind.
“What I appreciate most about our team is our ability to dream together.” —Spring Street Workshop Participant
Relearning collaboration starts with a beginner’s mind.
It’s the spark in an 8-year-old’s first drum solo or the aha moment when a colleague connects the dots in a new way. It’s listening to someone’s idea without rushing to judge—walking alongside their vision even before you know where it will lead.
Finding your groove at work takes time. You might try out different “instruments” before you find the one you were meant to play. Eventually, if you’re lucky, you discover a work rhythm that gives meaning and purpose—not just for you, but for the audience you serve.
Collaboration is a jam session. My son just had his first taste of it, and now he’s hooked.
If you need me, I’ll be in my home office… with earplugs. 🎸🥁
Collaborate to Drive Impact
’Tis the season for team offsites! Looking to spark a powerful blend of learning, insight, action, and joy? Let’s connect to design and deliver a high-impact experience your team will be talking about long after they return to their desks.
A heartfelt thanks to Lisa Petersen, Cristal Ochoa, and the entire talented Education and Engagement team at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. You lead with courageous, open hearts and a commitment to learning from each other. The ripple effect of your programming is felt deeply throughout our community. Keep creating!
Great suggestions for how to break away from feelings of doom to the boom that comes from creative collaboration. Love the photo of Parker.