The OffBeat #10: What's Your Time Signature?

Getting into the groove

I’ve been a jazz drummer since elementary school.

One of the fundamental elements of jazz music is the time signature. Traditional jazz songs are in 4/4 time — the typical 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4 rhythm we’re used to from pop music — because it's easiest to dance to.

But often jazz is in 3/4, or 5/4, or 9/8 (that one's gnarly). The job of the drummer is to hold down the backbone of the tune, keeping the time steadfast for the other musicians and the audience.

As a listener, you can find the time signature of the song by tuning into the drummer’s beat. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to really grasp it. In a work setting, listening for people’s time signature means patiently taking heed of their idiosyncrasies. What motivates them, what’s their sense of humor, what makes them feel heard and respected? What soft and hard skills are they working on? What are their aspirations and how can you help them get there, either within the confines of the organization or outside it? Is anything going on in their personal life that requires more space, or more flexibility, from work?

You can ask people questions outright to get at their style and preferences. But for me it works better to pick up on cues through working together, and then I gradually adapt my approach — how we use 1-1s, how I give and ask for feedback, what channels we use to communicate, how we career-plan — to that person as we get into the groove.

How people create and collaborate depends a lot on their personal time signature. You’ll be a better leader, colleague, and employee if you train your ear to listen for it.

Have a great week,

Allison