Introduction
“The Performance Project” is focused on lessons for leadership and management from live performing arts, music, theatre, and dance, and from sports.
February 10, 2010 — Three new “Profiles in Performance” posted today. There is a two-part profile on Michael Ingersoll, who recently completed a three and a half year run in “Jersey Boys.” And there’s another “Jersey Boys” profile on Steven Goldsmith, who also starred in the three and a half year runs of “Jersey Boys” in San Francisco and Chicago. Great messages for leaders and managers in each of these profiles.
November 13, 2009 — Last year I had the opportunity to interview Billy Gilman. Now, after the opportunity to see him perform live, he becomes part of the project. A second interview is coming soon. But here’s a preview: Billy Gilman Profile in Performance
June 19-20, 2009 — I spent two days, 24 hours plus, at the Milwaukee Mile (Oldest racetrack in the country) this weekend, with fantastic opportunities to interview drivers from NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series and the Nationwide Series. On Friday, despite the rain, and again on Saturday, I’ve had great opportunities to ask some of our key “performance project” questions of several great drivers from both series. Tremendous insights on the issues of practice, precision, teamwork, and talent. Coming Soon: Initial Insights and Connections
“The Performance Project” will include individual “Profiles in Performance,” workshops, and learning materials.
The Concept
There are many similarities (and some differences) between management, the performing arts, and sports. The Performance Project explores these with the objective of approving leadership and management effectiveness. One of the most important concepts is the differences that exist in the world of leadership and management versus the world of performance. While the concept applies equally to professional athletes and the performing arts, the Performance Project is going to focus more on the performing arts but will include examples from the athletic world as well.
And in both sports and the performing arts, there is a major different from leadership and management: a significantly higher amount of “practice.” The interesting thing is that we’ve now learned that the concept applies to “mastery” of many things and can be best described by “10,000 Hours.” Because of this simple, but very important concept, this project is devoted to developing a greater “practice/rehearsal” approach to leadership and management effectiveness.