What Musicians and Restaurants Can Teach Us About Teamwork

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In the Car, Belting it Out

On a recent drive home, while singing wholeheartedly (I mean, really belting it out) to “Baby I Love You” by Bonnie Raitt and BB King, I started composing this post in my head. My bestie and I had the great fortune to see her in concert at the Civic Center in San Diego – and it was the best show I had ever been to.

Why? So many reasons. Those familiar with her know she is a gifted artist; a guitar player and singer working at her craft for over 40 years. The music is solid. But also – and on this particular July evening this came through so strongly to us – she and her band are a TEAM. Not just a group of random musicians, but interdependent individuals with a shared common goal. While she is the face and leader of the band, the product becomes exceptional because of the gifts that each member possesses, some of which are only unlocked through the collaboration.

On Stage, Their Groove

In the workplace, we know how important recognition can be to morale and engagement. Throughout the show, Ms. Raitt consistently recognized the members of her band. She knew when to step back and let other shine, and often took the opportunity to graciously retreat into the shadows during solos or when other musicians were featured. Between each song, there was an acknowledgement of the contributions of others. It seemed effortless. By her actions and expressions, she demonstrated enthusiasm, love for music, a humble demeanor, a sense of play, and gratitude for her fans. When a band member dropped into an especially great groove, the whole band shared in the pleasure of work really well done. They were having a great time too! It was magic. This essence has stuck with me ever since.

Lunchtime, Tender Greens La Jolla

There are other places we get to see teams strut their stuff. A recent example that caught my attention was a lunch rush at Tender Greens in La Jolla. As we placed our order, we looked down the line at the cooks. On this day, at this restaurant, everyone had prepped their mise en place and were at their stations; roles were clear. The goal – to quickly and efficiently serve the crowd at a high level of excellence – was achieved. As we moved down the line, watching service, it was noticeably clear that this team was dialed in, and it was like watching a concert. We have all had experiences where this was NOT the case.


What is behind the scenes? Unseen, but providing structure?

Whether performing, cooking, or in other areas of business, high performance success requires a level of clarity and commitment that can be challenging to consistently achieve. There are always glitches or shifts in conditions that create obstacles to success. What must not be compromised is the clarity of roles and goals. Each person contributes to the end result, and excellence is fostered by the leaders within the team.

Think back to the times that you’ve been knocked out by a great experience. Behind the scenes you will find endless hours of learning, discussion, iteration, trial and error, and practice. You will also recognize that systems have been built – like set lists, sound checks, contingency plans, prep lists, venue schedules, service hours, set up and tear down processes, and preservation of the assets. And then, getting the team exactly right – the skills sets needed, the chemistry, the ground rules or norms agreed to before the training even starts. We often forget how much it takes to create and perform.

So, thank you Bonnie Raitt and Tender Greens for the reminder that experiencing a true team in action is transformative and memorable. That evening of music and that lunch – with all that went into each –left me nourished, satisfied, and inspired to cultivate that level of clarity, leadership, and team development within my own teams.

With love and light, K

Photo by Willian West on Unsplash 

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