This year, I decided to take a leap and join a choir! The last time I sang my heart out with a chorus was at a Messiah “sing-in” back in the 1990s—before marriage, before kids, before the whirlwind of “adulting.” Yes, before “adulting” was even a word.
My choir's standard of excellence has left me in awe, and being part of this musical journey has brought immense joy to my life. Last week, as we wrapped up our final rehearsal before the spring concert, it hit me: being in a high-performing choir is a lot like being in a high-performing team. And no, it’s not just because both involve a lot of group photos and potlucks.
In the world of choral music, individuals unite to create a symphony of voices, each adding a unique note to a collective harmony. It’s a beautiful reminder that the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts—just like a high-value team. Here’s how:
Vision and Purpose
Every choir starts with a shared vision: the piece of music they aim to bring to life. Each singer understands this goal and dedicates themself to achieving a harmonious performance. Similarly, a team isn’t just formed for the sake of it. A high-performing team rallies around a common objective, whether building a better organization, launching a new product, or crafting innovative solutions. Each member aligns their efforts, ensuring everyone is working in concert (pun intended).
Roles and Contributions
In a choir, there are different voice sections—sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. Each section brings its unique sound, and together, they create a rich, resonant harmony. It’s a beauty that you don’t just hear; you feel it. Teams, too, thrive on their members' diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives. Embracing these differences and engaging in healthy conflict allows teams to leverage each member’s strengths, fostering creativity and high-level problem-solving.
Candor
Choir members must listen to each other and communicate effectively to maintain harmony and timing. We notice and address when the tenors are singing two different pitches or when the sopranos get a tad diva-ish (and let’s be honest, sopranos do have their moments). Similarly, an effective team thrives on open and respectful dialogue. Clear communication ensures that everyone is on the same page, misunderstandings are minimized, and collaboration is seamless.
The parallels between a choir and an effective team highlight the importance of purpose, role clarity, and candor. By embracing these similarities, we can cultivate teams that are not only efficient and productive but also resilient and innovative. Just as a choir creates beautiful music, an effective team can achieve remarkable results in pursuit of a shared vision.