How to Build a Team that Sings Like a Choir of Angels
The all-girls chorus sang first in our recent high school choir concert. Their voices were beautiful as they harmonized in unity. If you closed your eyes, you’d think they were angels.
But seeing them made me think that they probably didn’t all view themselves as angels.
Do you know what someone looks like when they don’t think they are beautiful, smart, or accepted?
The way they stand? Where their eyes look? The expression on their face?
Several of these girls looked like they were probably insecure, felt unpopular, and were anxious in life.
Do you ever find yourself (or put yourself) in interactions that cause you to feel insecure, unpopular, or anxious?
I really respect those girls who sign up for choir and show up for the performance despite those feelings. A big part of influence in life is signing up and showing up for opportunities.
Then I noticed Miss Juliet, the choir director.
She stood tall in front of the girls, full of animated gestures and joyful expression.
I’d seen Miss Juliet emerge from a pizza dinner with her girls’ choir before the performance. She was all smiles, playfully interacting with one of the girls who had purple hair and black lipstick. Not a hint of judgment or superiority from Miss Juliet. Pure, loving acceptance and focus on her girls.
Back here in the high school, the angels sang, and I felt emotion well up inside me as I was struck with the realization:
Miss Juliet helps them find their voices.
She draws them out and tells them over and over, through her face and actions: You are beautiful, smart, and accepted.
Then I wondered whether being Miss Juliet to others should be the primary goal of every leader.
Performance outcomes and time pressures lead us to believe that the primary goal of a leader is to maximize productivity.
Imagine how much less productive the high school girls’ choir would be if insecurity, unpopularity, and anxiety drove their singing.
I’m sure when these girls walk the halls of the high school or sit in the quiet of their bedrooms, the thoughts of insecurity, unpopularity, and anxiety weigh heavy.
But when they go to choir, they are angels.
And angels are the hope for every school, community, and organization.
Who needs you to be their Miss Juliet this week?
