On applauding live music (and appreciation more generally)
Peter Cook
Author. Chair. Mentor. Monk. Helping people get what they want, do the work they're meant to do and live extraordinary lives.
My dad always applauds live music. Loudly and enthusiastically. Doesn’t matter how good it is or what the rest of the audience is doing. If there is someone playing the guitar in the corner of a café and everyone else is just talking amongst themselves, Dad will be the one clapping after every song.
He reckons that it doesn’t matter how good they are as musicians, they’ll be better if they feel appreciated. And he’ll have a better time too.
So he’s not like a judge on a talent show, assessing the talent and dishing out applause (or not) based on how well they do. He’s there to encourage and appreciate.
I think that’s a great way to do life. As a rule, people don’t need our assessment and feedback of their performance.
But encouragement and appreciation? Much more so.
Creator of SANE framework | VUCA Leadership | Self-awareness | Emotional resilience | Mental fitness | Agile mindset
3 年I love your snippets of wisdom Peter Cook keep them coming!
Facilitating Change Engagement Innovation and Performance
3 年boom! love it! so true and was having this metaphoric conversation this morning too!
Leadership for a World Without Maps??Human-Centred Development for Executive Teams & Senior Women Leaders??Midlife Pathmaker??LinkedIn Gender/Age Equity 'Top Voice' 22/23/24/25
3 年Amen to this Peter - there’s plenty of research on the strength giving, performance enhancing impact of encouragement (applause and general ‘keep going’, ‘good job buddy’ kind of appreciate of effort) in the sports arena. From personal experience I’m also with your Dad on the enjoyment uplift for those GIVING the appreciation/recognition. More of it I reckon…with people we know and as a random act of appreciation with strangers : )
??Top Leadership Development Voice ??Leadership Teams Coach ?Work Styles Assessment Certification ?Culture Transformation Strategist
3 年Your dad's empathy is of another level. I recently signed up to a 6 week course in stand up comedy to broaden my online facilitation skills. It made me realise how mentally resilient a performer has to be - especially when they attempt to perform online as during this pandemic
Counsellor, Coach, Psychotherapist - Practice Owner
3 年Couldn’t agree more. Appreciate. Encourage. In all arenas. I find it hard to witness someone’s effort go unacknowledged. Be a cheerleader, I say. ??