Read the crowd
Read the crowd
I’m sure most of you have been to a wedding or function where the DJ was just not bringing the vibe. I recently attended a wedding where the DJ seemed to be playing what he wanted to hear. He would play a great song, and everyone would flock to the dance floor – then he’d play the next one, and everyone would evaporate back to their seats.
The pattern was clear: some songs kept the dance floor burning, while others drove everyone straight back to their chairs. My husband turned to me and said, “It’s so simple – just listen to the crowd.”
It got me thinking about how often we get so caught up in our own plan – our playlist, so to speak – that we end up missing important opportunities that really matter in our lives.
Popular playlists we get caught in include:
• “I have a million things on my to-do list; I can’t go to bed early.”
• “I’m too busy to think about eating healthy.”
• “I absolutely have to finish these emails now – at the expense of time spent with our kids.”
Listening to the crowd doesn’t mean stepping away from our own values or priorities. It simply means that every so often we lift our heads and notice the impact our choice of “music” has on those around us.
• The way always being busy with the next important thing leaves the people around us feeling neglected.
• Or how making health choices out of convenience leaves us sick, depleted, and unable to participate fully.
• Being stuck to our screens leaves our kids wondering what they need to do for attention.
Bad songs can creep in so easily, like unhelpful habits. Just like streaming platforms and DJs can get it wrong, we need to actively curate the music on our playlist so it stays aligned with our priorities and values. Be willing to re-evaluate when a song isn’t having the desired effect. We have a responsibility to measure the impact we have on those around us – especially the ones who depend on us to bring the vibe.
If you need help curating your playlist, get in touch. You can reach us at info@purposeworks.co.za.
At PurposeWorks we are all about Making You and Your Work Rock. Our focus is on Organisational Health and Design, Employee Centered Culture, Leadership Development and Performance Coaching. For more information on how we can help you create a work environment that rocks, develop a great team, become an inspiring leader or unlock your personal excellence talk to us at info@purposeworks.co.za.
