Monday, January 31, 2011

A New Level of Thinking

Albert Einstein observed, "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them."

In Steven Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" He talks about a paradigm shift that is critical to our success as human beings. First, what is a paradigm shift? Covey uses the term "paradigm" to describe the lens through which we see and perceive our world. It's the mold we use to reason thinks out. It's how we make sense of our lives and the lives of those around us. Why we do what we do. Why others do what they do. Why things are the way they are. Get it?

So then a paradigm shift... It's when we change our paradigm. Our perception transforms. We see the world a different way. We change the way we think. There you have it, PARADIGM SHIFT.

So this vital paradigm shift that covey talks about is focused on an approach he's labeled "inside-out". Inside-out suggests that if there is a problem that you wish to see resolved, you should become the solution. Covey gives a couple of different examples: "If you want to have a happy marriage, be the kind of person that generates positive energy and sidesteps negative energy rather than empowering it. If you want to have a more pleasant, cooperative teenager, be a more understanding, empathetic, consistent, loving parent."

Ghandi also had a take on this idea, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Instead of trying to force things to change, we must first change ourselves. I think after we change ourselves into the kind of person that promotes the result we wish to see, achieving that result would be much easier.

So, let's put that into terms for conductors. What can we do with this "inside-out" approach. How can we be the change we wish to see in our ensembles. As the conductor, we set the standard. How ridiculous would it be for me to ask a group of musicians to know their music if I do not know mine inside and out, like the back of my hand? We must be the kind of conductors that promotes the behavior, sound, performance, etc in our ensembles.

No comments:

Post a Comment