The loudmouth. The quiet one. The organizer. The flake. Using materials and techniques developed for the corporate world, learn how groups interact, and how your ensemble can understand each other, minimize friction, and work together in harmony to create harmony.

I) Personality & Myers Briggs Type Indicator

a) Introvert (energy from inner world) vs. Extrovert (energy from outer world)

EXTRAVERSION: Do you
prefer action over reflection?
talk to think?
prefer talking to writing?
share your thoughts freely?
act and respond quickly?
seek out contact with others?
enjoy working in groups?

INTROVERSION: Do you
prefer reflection over action?
think to talk?
prefer writing to talking?
guard your thoughts until they’re (almost) perfect?
reflect and think deeply?
wait for others to seek you out?
enjoy working alone or with one or two others?

b) Sensor (precise information gathering) vs. Intuitor (novel and inspired gathering)

SENSING: Do you
like specific examples?
prefer following an agenda?
emphasize the pragmatic?
seek predictability?
see difficulties as problems that need solutions?
focus on immediate application?
want to know what it IS?

INTUITION: Do you
like general concepts?
depart from the agenda if necessary?
emphasize the theoretical?
desire change?
see difficulties as opportunities?
focus on future possibilities?
want to know what COULD BE?

EXERCISE: Break into 2 groups (sensors and intuitors) and describe objects (apple, paper)

c) Feeler (decisions based on people & harmony) vs. Thinker (objective, truthful decisions)

THINKING: Do you
question first?
know when reason is needed?
want things to be logical?
have a cool and impersonal demeanor?
remain detached when making decisions?
control the expression of your feelings?
overlook people in favor of tasks?

FEELING: Do you
accept first?
know when support is needed?
want things to be pleasant?
have a warm and personal demeanor?
remain personally involved when making decisions?
express your feelings with enthusiasm?
overlook tasks in favor of people?

d) Perceiver (remain open to new info) vs. Judger (come to closure and act)

PERCEIVING: Do you
like things to be flexible and open?
finish tasks at the deadline?
focus on processes, options, and openings?
dislike deadlines?
enjoy surprises?
prefer to be tentative?
reserve the right to change plans or decisions?

JUDGING: Do you
like things to be settled and ordered?
finish tasks before the deadline?
focus on goals, results, and achievements?
establish deadlines?
prefer no surprises?
prefer to be conclusive?
quickly commit to plans or decisions?

EXERCISE: Break into 2 groups (perceivers and judgers) and decide on a movie to see tonight

e) General Comments:

*Teams with similar types will understand each other more rapidly, but tend to make more errors in decision making (and should seek outside perspectives at times). Teams with different types will have more difficulty, but cover all viewpoints.

*Leadership roles may shift due to preferences and skills

*Team members with 3 or 4 differences in type will have the hardest time understanding each other. Group members who share similarities with both can act as “translators” during difficult communications.

*A person who is different from most or all other members in a particular preference may be seen as different.

*Teams who understand and appreciate the differences between members will experience less conflict and more completely use the skills of all members.

II) Power

a) Musical and Creative Power/Talent: Composer, arranger, soloist, etc.

EXERCISE: Write down a list of all the positive traits and talents you bring to your group. Now, do the same for each additional member. Consider everything: musical knowledge, personality, appearance, flexibility, etc. How does this effect your decision making and group interactions?

b) Business and Logistical Power/Reliability:Booking concerts, handling money, etc.

DISCUSSION: How does the role and power of business effect the interpersonal and creative elements of your group?

III) Communication & Conflict Resolution Techniques & Suggestions

a) Mirroring

EXERCISE: Choose a partner, and practice mirroring

b) Fair (and possibly evenly balanced) distribution of power and responsibilities

EXERCISE: Make a list of the responsibilities in your group, and who currently does them. Is there any additional compensation for work done above the average?

c) Discussions online when involve the whole group, offline when between two

d) Separate the issue from the person

e) Speak in sentences using the word “I” and not “you”

EXERCISE: Make a statement about one of the other members in your group involving a recent problem, and then restate it using “I”

f) Celebrate group successes, and enjoy each other in a non business setting

©2000 Total Vocal Music - all rights reserved