Play the Mistakes

The great Jazz pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock, shares an oft-told tale about his tenure playing with Miles Davis. You were covered under a mantle of protection in his Miles’ band because he trusted you. This trust was forged in the ethos of the band. If you played a mistake during a gig, Miles would play your mistake as if it were meant to be all along. Somehow he would play the wrong notes in a way that impelled them to feel as they naturally belong in the song. Hancock shares that Miles felt a responsibility to find a place for the mistake in the scope of the song.

Click the video clip below to hear Herbie Hancock’s story:

I am on a constant quest for meaning and purpose in leadership. My wellspring of inspiration flows from the profound lessons enshrined in music. Whether orchestrating a band or leading an organization, we are certain to encounter mistakes stemming from those we guide. The pivotal question is: how do we react when a mistake occurs? Do we diligently cultivate an environment of psychological safety, fostering the resilience of our companions in the face of adversity? Within an organization, a relentless pursuit of perfection stifles, obstructs, and fuels burnout. Embracing the ethos of Miles Davis, acknowledging the absence of mistakes, engenders an environment teeming with creativity and emboldens risk-taking.

Playing the mistake requires that leaders are in tune with the gifts and strengths of the people they support. Simply put, know your people and value their strengths. Miles Davis knew his bandmates after dedicated time for rehearsal and live performance. He was also open to possibilities and knew that mistakes formed boundaries and inhibitions. Leaders must have this same mindset. Being open to the possibilities that mistakes foster can lead to dynamic new ideas. Most importantly, re-shifting the paradigm on mistakes empowers others

Next Moves for Dynamic Leadership Action:

1. Connect with your team on what constitutes a mistake in your action.

2. Create trust and establish how you will respond as a leader when a mistake occurs.

3. After a mistake occurs, debrief and share with the team how the mistake pivoted the team forward.

4. Use the mistake as an opportunity for growth.