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I’m in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. So, let’s learn what jazz teaches us to make communication come alive.
I have great memories here with my son, Eddie, a talented musician, enjoying jazz festivals, Preservation Hall, and even Ellis Marsalis at Snug Harbor, which was magical. Masters of playing and listening, extending invitations, and responding with excellence.
Jazz isn’t presentation. It’s discovery and real time co-creation. But did you know music and language are processed in overlapping areas of the brain? Here are three science-backed ways to enhance our communication performance.
First, Listen and confirm. What’s even better than active listening? Being fully absorbed, showing respect and curiosity.
According to research, when people feel accurately understood, defensiveness drops and engagement increases. So, restate what you heard and ask a clarifying question before you share your thoughts.
Second, Create space. In jazz, nobody plays nonstop. Musicians create space for each other to interpret and respond.
Research also shows when you increase conversational pause time, even one second, the quality of responses dramatically improves. Short silence isn’t awkward but respectful, showing you care enough to fully process. So don’t rush the beat.
And third, Trade solos. Google’s Project Aristotle found that psychological safety – people feeling safe enough to speak up – was the number one predictor of team performance.
The best groups and highest performing teams don’t have one dominant soloist. They take turns. Call and response. So instead of declaring this is how it is, try “Here’s my thinking. What am I missing?”
Use these techniques to elevate your conversational jazz and unlock new contributions for you and your partners. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.
The audio for this week’s coaching video is located under the “Get Inspired” tab in the Positive Playlist . You can subscribe to the podcast and listen to other weekly messages for improving all aspects of your life.
