“It’s not what you play, it’s how you play it”: What Jazz Reveals About Effective Teamwork

We have all been through the routine—attending team-building exercises and reading countless articles about "How to Have Effective Teamwork." It is a frequent topic in meetings, with leaders urging their team members to improve collaboration and communication. Even a quick Google search for 'teamwork' yields about 358 million results. But what does genuine teamwork look like beyond the buzzwords?

I found an interesting answer not in traditional business advice, but in the world of jazz music.

Why jazz? Beyond being one of my favourites, it is a genre that highlights improvisation. My passion for jazz started in childhood which was driven by playing the trumpet and being inspired by a local jazz band my dad knew. Jazz bands create melodies, harmonies, and rhythms spontaneously, adapting and innovating together. This mirrors what today’s work environment demands: flexibility and adaptability in the face of evolving technologies and unforeseen challenges.

Jazz is not solely about individual soloists; it is about interdependence. Each musician plays a crucial role with the bassist sets the foundation, the drummer keeps the beat, the pianist adds special touches, and the horn section brings everything together. This interdependence is a fitting metaphor for teamwork—where individuals with diverse skills collaborate towards a shared goal.

This concept is not just theoretical for me; it applies directly to my experience with marketing, strategy and channel teams. We recently organised an international press event in Barcelona where team members from various regions and specialised roles collaborated with external partners and media across time zones. The success of the event is attributed to the collective skills and unified mission to share Schneider Electric’s proposition for the future of the AI-ready data centre industry. It was like the “Impressions” by John Coltrane Quartet and Eric Dolphy that showcases the collaboration between Coltrane, Dolphy and bandmates that creates a powerful musical experience – in our case, creating an impactful experience for the media.

In this article, I would like to share six lessons from jazz music that I adopt for successful teamwork within our organisations.

1. Active listening

Imagine a dimly lit jazz club, the musicians locked in a conversation without words. The bassist provides a steady beat, the drummer adds a rhythm that complements it, and the pianist includes extra touches that build on both. This interplay would not be possible without each musician intently listening to the others. Similarly, in the workplace, we can build stronger connections, spark creativity, and drive innovation by genuinely listening to our team members. We need to actively engage with our team members’ ideas, rather than simply waiting for our turn to speak. This collaborative spirit empowers everyone to contribute, transforming good ideas into groundbreaking initiatives.

Leaders need to listen too. According to Inc. magazine , listening is the most valuable, yet underrated skills for leaders. The author shared the story of entrepreneur Mark Cuban. Early in his career, his talkative nature made him less likeable among his peers. A mentor's advice to write "listen" at the top of his meeting notes helped him become a more effective leader.

2. Flexibility to improvise in changing market

The business world often resembles the lively atmosphere of a bustling London or New York jazz club with the unexpected changes and the constant need to stay in harmony with the rhythm. Just as a skilled saxophonist can craft a captivating melody from a single note, a team's success hinges on its capacity to adapt. Research by Barclays Lifeskills indicates that 60% of employers now consider adaptability more crucial than ever before.

In my previous newsletter , I discussed how traditional SEO methods which focused on keywords are being replaced by AI-powered search engines. This shift underscores the importance of adaptability in our ever-evolving digital landscape.

Imagine a jazz pianist faced with a broken string mid-performance. A good pianist would seamlessly adapt, improvising a new melody on the remaining keys. We might encounter similar challenges as a team. A negative social media trends or a product malfunction can quickly escalate into a full-blown crisis. However, with adaptability, the team can leverage these challenges as key tools for damage control. They can transition from a defensive stance to crafting an empathetic response, minimising the negative impact, and potentially even enhancing brand loyalty.

3. Trust and Respect

Each jazz player must respect their fellow musicians' contributions, allowing space for solos while harmonising as a cohesive group. This mutual trust and respect create a dynamic and fluid performance, where the music evolves organically and beautifully.

In life, just as in jazz, trust and respect are essential for harmonious relationships and effective teamwork. At Schneider Electric, our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, and Teamwork serve as the foundation for a culture that prioritises both individual growth and collective success. These values focus on helping each person grow and succeed together. By encouraging constant learning, experimentation and open communication, we ensure everyone feels they can share their unique ideas.

4. Shared Leadership

In a traditional orchestra, a single conductor holds all the authority. In contrast, jazz operates on a fluid model of leadership, where control shifts smoothly among the bandmates. Each player takes turns leading the group, contributing their unique insights and skills. This dynamic method promotes a collaborative atmosphere, empowering everyone to add to the overall harmony.

Traditionally, it has been believed that companies should be led by a single leader. However, the concept of co-CEOs is becoming increasingly popular in modern corporate structures. Research from Harvard Business Review also found that nearly 60% of companies with co-CEOs outperformed those with a single CEO, with co-CEO tenures averaging about five years, similar to sole CEOs. This suggests that the idea of having just one leader might be changing.

Shared leadership is a dynamic approach that empowers team members to bring their unique strengths and perspectives to the group’s leadership. When individuals are encouraged to take ownership of their roles, they develop crucial leadership skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and communication. This not only promotes their personal and professional growth but also creates a deeper pool of potential leaders within the organisation.

5. Continuous Learning

Stagnation can hinder creativity, a fact even someone as legendary as Louis Armstrong recognised. Despite his immense talent and years of experience, Armstrong had to continually practise, push boundaries, and evolve as an artist to stay at the top of his game.

This same principle is crucial in today’s fast-paced digital world, which is being rapidly transformed by AI. This constant flux highlights the vital importance of continuous learning. Fortunately, a report from LinkedIn's Workplace Learning Report shows that 53% of Gen Z workers place a high value on learning for career growth, 16% more than the previous generations. This is a promising sign for the future workforce, suggesting a strong drive for development that is essential to remain relevant in an ever-changing landscape shaped by AI.

Continuous learning also fosters personal and professional growth by updating skills, embracing new technologies, and enhancing problem-solving abilities.

6. Mastery

Armstrong's improvisational solos took jazz from being a group-focused genre to a stage for personal expression, showing how individual talent can shine within a group. This idea is just as important for successful teams, where each person’s unique contributions are crucial to drive overall success.

A team where everyone is at their best and uses their unique strengths is more likely to succeed. This creates a well-rounded team with complementary skills, like how a great melody comes from each instrument in an orchestra. When everyone plays to their strengths and works together smoothly, the results can be truly exceptional.

In a nutshell

A high-performing team, much like a jazz band, needs precise timing, perfect pitch, and smooth coordination among its members. Success in both contexts depends on clear communication, mutual respect, and a unified dedication to the project's goals.

When every team member performs their role with dedication, the collective output is significantly enhanced, achieving results that surpass what any individual could accomplish alone. In the words of Count Basie, a prominent American jazz pianist: “It’s not what you play, it’s how you play it.”