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RailsConf 2017: Bebop to the Top - The Jazz Band As A Guide To Leadership by Michael Cain The ideal workplace, with motivated employees, supportive managers and a clear vision in the "C-suite", is where we'd all like to work, isn't it? The question then, is, how do we create it? How do managers walk the fine line of "micromanaging" and "anarchy"? How can we, as employees, maximize our contribution to our company and love what we do at the same time? The secret is in the big band. Inspired by Max Dupree's Leadership Jazz, this talk will show you how to apply the principles of improvisation to your company/team and make your workplace more efficient, effective and fun!
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The video "Bebop to the Top - The Jazz Band As A Guide To Leadership," presented by Michael Cain at RailsConf 2017, focuses on how principles of jazz music and improvisation can inform effective leadership and team dynamics in a development environment. Cain draws parallels between a successful jazz band and a high-functioning software development team, highlighting the importance of creativity, collaboration, and structured freedom in achieving workplace harmony. ### Key Points: - **Improvisation in Jazz and Work**: The appeal of jazz music lies in its improvisational aspects, where musicians create spontaneous compositions. This is comparable to how development teams should creatively resolve challenges and innovate together. - **Ideal Workplace Characteristics**: An effective workplace fosters clear communication, supportive leadership, conflict resolution, shared values, and aligns personal and professional values. - **Guidelines vs. Rules**: Cain emphasizes that guidelines should facilitate creativity—not restrict it—by allowing developers the freedom to make choices within a structured framework, much like musicians adhere to a melody while improvising around it. - **Team Dynamics**: He discusses the roles within a jazz band as reflective of specialized roles on a development team, with each member contributing to a collective effort. Awareness of each member’s contributions is vital for seamless collaboration. - **Mentorship and Growth**: Senior developers should mentor juniors, fostering a culture of continuous improvement akin to jazz traditions where experienced musicians guide newer players. - **Creativity and Vulnerability**: Cain highlights that creativity is a vulnerable process and requires a non-attacking feedback culture. This includes being mindful of emotional attachments to one’s code, which can be likened to not criticizing an ‘ugly baby’. - **Conflict Resolution and Trust**: Effective leadership is rooted in trust—believing team members aim to produce quality work. Handling conflicts in a constructive manner is critical for maintaining a positive team atmosphere. ### Conclusion: The essence of the talk is that like a jazz band, successful teams operate under principles of improvisation, making room for individual creativity while adhering to shared objectives. Cain encourages leaders to establish environments that promote trust, mentorship, and freedom, ultimately leading to more engaged and productive teams.
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