BBC NewsBorrowing was £17.4bn last month, the second highest October figure since monthly records began in 1993.
Tim Jackson
Ever wonder where your best work skills come from? I’ve got a theory. Much of your value at work doesn’t start there. Instead, it flows from elsewhere—like a past job or hobby. For me, it’s music. Specifically, my time in bands as a kid taught me about myself and teamwork. Now, I use those lessons in big work transformations. In this series, I’ll share how my days as a musician guide me today. Ready? Let’s dive in.
I grabbed a guitar at age ten. A buddy down the street had an old classical one. He lent it to me. For hours, I’d pluck away, learning songs by ear. This was pre-YouTube. The internet? Barely a thing. Still, I made quick progress. After a few weeks, though, I hit a wall. My parents noticed my spark. So, they bought me a cheap electric Stratocaster. It mimicked Eric Clapton’s vibe. The new sound pushed me forward. But soon, that dreaded plateau crept in again. Then, lessons started. My teacher—without me realizing—introduced deliberate practice.
What’s Deliberate Practice Anyway?
You’ve probably heard of Malcolm Gladwell. He says 10,000 hours makes you great. Nature vs. nurture? That’s a centuries-old debate. I’ll tackle it later. For now, let’s focus. Deliberate practice isn’t just about time. It’s how you use it. Basically, it’s a method to get better at anything. Here’s how it works. First, spot a weak spot. Next, break down your goal. Then, set a tough target. After that, get quick feedback. Finally, repeat. Simple, right?
For example, take a guitar newbie. They might learn a basic tune. A pro? They’d tackle a Jimi Hendrix solo. The steps stay the same. You slow it down. Master a few bars. Speed it up. Move to the next chunk. Eventually, you nail it. Time varies, sure. Beginners take longer. Pros zoom through. Either way, it’s about intent. When I practiced, I didn’t just hit notes. I obsessed over tone. I recorded myself. Then, I’d listen—critically. What could improve? That’s the trick.
By my late teens, I joined bands. Later, I hit music college. There, I met my drummer. He was a deliberate practice wizard. We knew the stakes. The music scene was brutal. Without top skills, we’d flop. No good gigs for amateurs. So, we got serious. Hours went into every detail. Mindless jamming? Nope. Instead, we used a metronome. Timing had to be perfect. Grooves had to flow. We recorded every session. Then, we’d share it. Friends and family gave feedback. Harsh or not, we listened. Over time, it clicked. Our following grew. Great gigs rolled in. Hard work paid off.
Now, how does this tie to work? I lead teams on big projects. Often, they want to “do Agile.” You know—stand-ups, demos, retrospectives. They dive in fast. But here’s the catch. Many lack the mindset. Discipline fades. For instance, a new tool—like my Stratocaster—sparks progress. Transparency helps at first. Then, they plateau. Tickets sit stale. Updates stop. Sound familiar? That’s where deliberate practice swoops in. It’s a game-changer for teams too.
Think about it. The approach mirrors music. First, set a clear vision. Where are we headed? Next, aim high. Push past comfort zones. Then, measure progress. Finally, hunt for improvements. Always. In SAFe—an Agile framework—relentless improvement is key. Complacency? Not an option. Instead, we stay curious. What’s one thing we can tweak? Every step counts. Teams grow stronger this way.
Let’s paint a picture. Imagine a team using this. They’re new to Agile. Stand-ups feel clunky. So, they pick a weak spot—communication. They break it down. Goal? Clear, crisp updates. They practice daily. Feedback comes fast—maybe from a retro. Then, they repeat. Over weeks, it’s muscle memory. Stand-ups groove like a tight band. But here’s the kicker. If they stop at one “song,” they’re a one-hit wonder. Greatness needs more. They must keep pushing—new goals, new skills.
For example, take sprint planning. It’s sloppy at first. Tasks pile up unfinished. So, they slow it down. They set a target—finish 80% of commitments. They track it. Feedback shows gaps. They tweak and retry. Soon, planning flows. Deliveries hit the mark. That’s deliberate practice in action. It’s not magic. It’s method.
Reflecting on band days, I see parallels. Surround yourself with challengers. My drummer? He raised my game. At work, it’s the same. Pick teammates who push you. Next, share a vision. In bands, we dreamed of big stages. Teams need that too—a bold “what if.” Then, break it down. Small, doable steps. Otherwise, it’s overwhelming. For instance, don’t “fix Agile” in one go. Start with better retros. Build from there.
Support matters too. Bands thrive on trust. If I flubbed a riff, my bassist had my back. Teams need that vibe. People mess up. They’re human. So, when someone slips, don’t snap. Grab a coffee. Ask, “How you holding up?” Often, they’re wrestling something bigger. Empathy keeps the groove alive.
Here’s the core. Whether music or work, mindset drives it. In bands, we craved greatness. We didn’t settle. At work, teams must too. Agile isn’t just tools. It’s a way of thinking. For example, a team might nail demos. But are they better than last month? Deliberate practice asks that. It’s relentless. There’s always a next level. Stagnation? That’s the enemy. Keep climbing. That’s how you win.
Take my Hendrix solo quest. I didn’t just learn it. I lived it—tone, feel, all of it. Teams need that fire. Say they’re coding. Don’t just ship it. Ask: Is it clean? Fast? User-friendly? Record the “performance.” Review it. Tweak it. Over time, they’re not just coders. They’re craftsmen. That’s the shift.
So, what about you? What’s your “elsewhere”? Maybe it’s sports. Or cooking. For me, bands were gold. They taught me grit. Teamwork. How to grow. What’s yours? Think about it. That hobby might hold your edge. For instance, a chef might ace time management. A soccer player? Team vibes. Whatever it is, mine it. Bring that unique flair to your gig.
How do you start? Easy. Pick one lesson. Test it. Say you ran track. Stamina was key. Use that at work—push through crunch time. Or maybe you painted. Attention to detail ruled. Apply it to reports. See what sticks. Then, build on it. Deliberate practice helps here too. Set a goal. Get feedback. Repeat. Your twist makes you stand out.
This isn’t rocket science. I learned it strumming strings. Bands shaped me. Now, I shape teams. Deliberate practice ties it together. It’s about intent. Break stuff down. Push hard. Check progress. Keep going. Whether it’s a riff or a sprint, the process rocks. So, grab your “guitar.” What’s your next note? Play it loud.
