From Disaster to Success: What Tiny Leaders Can Teach Us About Teaming

My sons are in a rock band, and it is hands down the cutest manifestation of a rock band I have ever seen, but I am biased. It is one of the most harmonious teams I'd ever seen in action, which is surprising given its formation was self-led by 10-year-olds with vastly different skill levels, it then expanded to include two of their younger brothers (out of necessity for their musical talents), and despite some rowdy practice sessions early on, it has continued to thrive. I have been intensely curious about their success and I believe the key to it was revealed in their greatest failure, to date.

Before I reveal its successful essence let me provide some context; they've got a fair few gigs under their belt and by all accounts have played rather well together, they’ve been together well over a year and even started getting lessons as a band, in addition to their individual music practice. All the literature on teaming would suggest this is one well setup team and so when they went to perform their first original song at their school fair we were all expecting another great performance, but it was a disaster! I’ll save you from all the supportive parent stuff about effort and learning because I need to cut straight to the heart of the issues for leadership learning purposes.

One band member rushed the tempo, throwing them all off. Another got swamped by their nerves and played the wrong notes. They all stopped playing (all musos know you play through the pain and hope the audience never notices) and another decided to share with the audience what the mistakes were and who made them. I’m pretty sure actual rock bands have broken up over a lot less, and yet, one week later this band got back up on stage and gave a rocking performance of their original at a kid's rock concert, at a legitimate live music venue. 

How on earth does a team bounce back from this in just one week, you ask?

I wondered the same thing and I believe the answer lies in the post-disaster behaviours. While disappointment and other negative emotions ran high initially, their response was key. Over a week, they processed their feelings and emerged stronger. The band members didn't waste time assigning blame. Instead, each took responsibility for their own missteps. They seemed to accept that everyone contributed to the performance, both good and bad. Ultimately, they chose to learn together, as a team. To see all of this unfold and then attend their next HUGELY successful performance, it was clear this was a pivotal moment for them and they’d all learned something crucial about what it means to be a team.

What can these tiny leaders teach us about leadership in teams? 

• The journey of my sons' rock band, though unexpected, offers valuable lessons in fostering a team environment that prioritizes learning and growth. Let's delve into the key takeaways from their experience:

  1. Share Leadership: The band's self-led approach, without relying on a designated leader or parental intervention, highlights the power of shared leadership. When everyone feels empowered to contribute and take ownership, it fosters a more collaborative and engaged team spirit. When things didn’t go well they didn't have a ‘designated authority’ role to turn to, this meant they all had to take the leadership work to be able to regroup and succeed. 

  2. Hold Yourselves Accountable: Instead of falling into the trap of blame games, the band members individually reflected and acknowledged their own contributions to the performance's shortcomings. When team members take accountability, there is no space left for blame and the mess that comes with it. Maintaining a high degree of personal responsibility within the team is crucial for continuous improvement.

  3. Support Each Other: Despite the initial disappointment after the failed performance, the band members displayed genuine support for one another. Checking in, offering encouragement, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility, especially after a setback, is essential to creating a supportive team environment. How a team responds to failure and each other’s mistakes will either build the belief that ‘we look after each other’ or erode it.

  4. Learn Together: While the band members didn't explicitly outline their individual learnings, it was clear that each took something away from the experience. Whether it was enhancing personal skills, managing performance nerves, or offering stronger support to teammates, the commitment to collective learning is not only vital for long-term growth, it puts a team back in control of its own future rather than focusing on past events that it can’t change.
  

  Inspired by the resilience and leadership of these young musicians, let's consider how we can cultivate these principles within our own teams. By fostering shared leadership, encouraging accountability, creating a supportive environment, and learning together, we can empower our teams to navigate challenges, learn from setbacks, and achieve remarkable success.

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