identitySPECIALIST

I am trying to work out this principle in my mind about rules and improvisation.  I am wondering if the principle applies to every aspect of our lives.

I have been listening to alot of jazz lately.  In music, there are rules.  They provide the foundation or the roadmap for where the music goes.  The tempo, the key, the feel of a piece of music all follow the rules.  In jazz, the rules still apply, but knowing the rules allow for a musician to improvise.  Its following the rules in such a way that you can break the rules – such beautiful music is created.  It takes skill do play jazz.

In acting, there are rules and characters.  There are also rules for improv, and as long as you’re following the rules of improv, you can create and improv on the fly.  It takes an incredible amount of knowledge and skill in order to do improv.

Have you ever heard a freestyle rapper?  They can create on the fly, and the skill and creativity it takes is incredible.

Now, does the principle apply to leadership?  And if it does, what are the rules?  Who made the rules?  What is the ruler?  If one were to follow the rules, in theory you could improvise on the rules of leadership.  In theory, you could create the most creative expressions of leadership.

So for those of you that lead – what are your rules?  Which ones do you follow, and then how do you improvise?

Let me know.