Mastering Chaos
The Musician's Way
®
The primary task for leaders of improvising organisations is to maintain and support the group by means of the initial holding form and releasing the improvisation from the holding form when its own form emerges.
The initial holding form is a set of ground rules and guidelines that provide a framework for the improvisation. It helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the improvisation stays on track. The holding form can be anything from a simple set of agreements to a more complex set of rules and procedures.
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Once the initial holding form is established, the leader's role is to support the group as it improvises. This means providing encouragement, feedback, and guidance. The leader also needs to be prepared to step in and help the group if it gets stuck or starts to go off track.
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The leader's role is not to control the improvisation, but to facilitate it. The leader needs to be able to let go of control and allow the group to find its own way. This can be a challenge, but it is essential for successful improvisation.
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When the improvisation reaches a point where it has its own form, the leader's role is to release the group from the holding form. This means allowing the group to continue to improvise without any further input from the leader. The leader can still provide support and guidance, but the group is now responsible for its own direction.
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Releasing the group from the holding form can be a risky move, but it is essential for successful improvisation. If the leader holds on too tightly to the holding form, the improvisation will never reach its full potential. By releasing the group from the holding form, the leader allows the improvisation to take on a life of its own.
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Improvisation is a powerful tool for creativity and innovation. It can help organizations to break out of old patterns and find new ways of doing things. However, improvisation can be difficult to manage. It requires a different kind of leadership than traditional management.
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The leader of an improvising organization needs to be able to let go of control and allow the group to find its own way. This can be a challenge, but it is essential for successful improvisation. By providing support and guidance, the leader can help the group to reach its full potential.