Is Your Company a Jazz Band or Symphony Orchestra?
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, June 16, 2018
What is your favorite style of music? Classical, Country, Hip-Hop, Rap, Big Band, Rock, or Jazz?
We all have distinctive tastes in music and varying capabilities for creating different kinds of music. But I am most intrigued by the contrast between jazz and symphony music, and by how a similar contrast exists between a small entrepreneur and big corporations.
Jazz is a kind of music in which improvisation is an important part. Jazz musicians place a high value on finding their own sound and style, and like to play their songs in their own distinct styles. But they also play in response to each other’s lead or invitation. You can often hear “call–and–response” patterns in jazz. One instrument, voice, or part of the band answers another. Jazz bands simultaneously strive for creation, freedom, and synergistic teamwork.
In contrast, a symphony orchestra will have musical scores, rehearsals, and a maestro conductor who links all the players and instruments harmoniously together to create the most beautiful symphonic sounds. There is discipline and perfection in every instrument and every movement. The maestro controls the tempo and expression for the whole orchestra.
Is your company like a jazz band where everyone’s ideas and styles are valued? Many start-ups and entrepreneurs are like that. People work feverishly toward a shared vision, and everyone feels like an owner. The workplace is filled with constant dialogue and excitement, and the creative sparks fly on a daily basis.
Or maybe your company is more like an orchestra, where everyone has her position to sit and music to play? Do you have a hierarchical organizational structure with section leaders, a concert master, and a conductor? In such a large organization, discipline, procedures, and harmony are more important than individual ideas or expressions.
Of course, depending on the stage and nature of a business, a blend of both jazz and symphony may be the best combination for your company. The key is to have a leader who appreciates both styles and strives for the right balance.
你的公司是爵士樂隊？還是交響樂團？
-作者 許俊宸博士
-中譯 薛乃綺
你最喜歡的音樂類型是什麼？古典、鄉村、嘻哈、饒舌、樂團、搖滾、還是爵士？
我們都有不同的品味和能力來欣賞或創造各種不同的音樂。但我最感興趣的，是爵士樂與交響樂之間的對比，就像是小企業與大公司之間的比較。
爵士樂是一種對即興創作很重視的音樂。爵士樂者非常重視尋找自己的聲音和風格，並且喜歡以自己獨特的風格來詮釋自己的歌曲。但他們也會呼應對方的領唱或附應。你可以經常聽到爵士樂中‘唱和’的形式，就是其中一種樂器、聲音或樂隊的某個部分，去呼應另一個隊友。爵士樂隊同時致力於創作、自主、及協同合作。
相較之下，交響樂隊會有樂譜、彩排、及指揮家，將所有樂手及樂器和諧地融合在一起，創造出最美的交響音樂。每種樂器和每個動作都有各自的規律與專業。指揮家將控制整個管弦樂隊的節奏與表現。每位樂手不能有太多自由表达的机会。
你的公司是否像爵士樂團一樣，每個人的想法與風格都受到重視？許多初創企業家都是這樣的。大家會為了共同的願景而狂熱地工作，會覺得公司是自己的。工作場所每天都不拘型式，充滿著持續的對話、興奮的心情、以及新創的火花。
又或者你的公司像個交響樂隊，每個人都有自己的位置，或坐或站去演奏交下来的音樂？也是否有固定的組織結構，如分層領導者、樂團首席、指揮家？在這樣的一個龐大的組織中，紀律、程序及和諧比個人想法或表達更為重要。
當然，根據業務的階段和性質，爵士樂和交響樂的混合版也許是你的公司最佳寫照。關鍵是要有一位領導者，懂得欣賞這兩種不同的風格，取其所长。並願意致力於追求這之間適當的平衡，讓公司能更有规律的創新成长。
