Andrew Carnegie said, “Teamwork
is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct
individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel
that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” Are you getting the most out of your team? Does each person on your team work well together?
How
would you like to see an example of teamwork at its very best? If you were with
me, as an audience member, during the live broadcast from Russia of the Bolshoi
Ballet and Orchestra’s production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” at the
AMC Theater, you would have seen the very finest example of teamwork in the
world.
In the
first scene the audience was transported to the Masked Ball in Verona, Italy where
Romeo, Alexander Volchkov, a handsome young man and Juliet, Anna Nikulina, a
beautiful young woman meet for the very first time and dance together at the
ball. The couple were smiling and danced together with energy, enthusiasm and
joy. When Romeo lifts Juliet in the air you felt her trust and passion for
Romeo. She knew she could rely on Romeo to catch her. Their timing was
impeccable. It was as if they had been
dancing together forever.
During
this scene the Corps de Ballet, all handsome and beautiful dancers were smiling
at their partners as they danced as couples with energy, commitment, and
enthusiasm with impeccable timing.
Every gesture
and movement of the solo dancers and the Bolshoi Corps de Ballet was done as a
team with enthusiasm, conviction, and commitment. Each member knew their part, encouraging
and supporting the other, and could be relied on to catch the other in a jump
or any movement. It was poetry in motion.
A dialogue of dancing with gestures and facial expressions, without words.
The
audience witnesses the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet and their secret
wedding with Friar Lawrence marrying them. The soloists and the Bolshoi Corps
de ballet worked together as a team with the step-by-step choreography of Yuri
Grigorovich from the original music score of Sergei Prokofiev's 1978
production.
During
the intermission the audience was invited back stage to watch the soloists and
Corps de ballet, dancers, practicing the sword fight scene and other parts of
the ballet with their partners. Dancers were working together as a team
concentrating on making each movement together so it was seamless. Dancers practiced
with energy, enthusiasm and joy dancing together with their teammates. Their
movements were fluid, in perfect rhythm and harmony. These are athletes of the
highest caliber who enjoy their work.
The
audience also saw during the intermission, the orchestra members practicing
their parts with joy and enthusiasm. We heard orchestra sections practicing
together and principle players playing their solos. Each musician was concentrating
and working to do their very best work with their team members to make this
“Romeo and Juliet” production special.
Throughout
the entire ballet , each member of the ballet company worked as a team member
and knew their part. Precision was in every scene including when Juliet takes
the elixir to put her to sleep and the scene when Romeo thinks she is dead and
takes poison to join her.
Many
years ago, I had the pleasure of playing in the viola section with the Bolshoi
Ballet’s Orchestra when they came to play at the Metropolitan Opera in New York
City. They were a joy to work with as the Bolshoi musicians and dancers loved working
together as a team to make the “Romeo and Juliet” Prokofiev production
memorable , special, fresh and new for the audience.
What
are the three lessons on teamwork you can learn from the Bolshoi Ballet’s production
of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”?
1) As
a team have a clear vision and picture of what you want each member of your
team to do and have a step-by-step plan to do it. Soloists and the Bolshoi
Corps de ballet worked together as a team with the step-by-step choreography of
Yuri Grigorovich from the original Sergei Prokofiev’s production of 1978. The
orchestra also worked as a team with its Conductor Andrey Anikhanov,
Concertmaster, and other principal players of each section of the orchestra
working together with a clear big picture of how they wanted to play for their
dancers.
2) Each member of the team has a job they are expert at doing, they
know their jobs well, and they work with their teammates joyfully with precision.
3) Each team member can be depended on, is committed to doing their
best, is encouraging, works with energy and enthusiasm to support their team
members to reach their goals.
So, remember to choose the members of your team wisely, make
sure they are experts and enjoy working with your other team members. Make sure
everyone on the team understands your organization’s vision and has a picture
of what you want your goal or dream to look like. And also have a step- by-
step plan of action just like Yuri Grigorovich and the
Bolshoi Ballet.
Zig
Ziglar said it best, “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan
to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”
Madeline Frank,
Ph.D., DTM, John Maxwell Team Member, and Certified World Class Speaking Coach
is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner,
teacher, researcher, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations
"Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the
blue prints necessary to improve and keep your businesses successful. She
writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips
Blog" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio
Show". She has just published her new book "Leadership On A
Shoestring Budget" available in print or as an e-book.
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