Great Performances for Everyone!, 15. September 2007

'. . . The objective of this book is to provide . . . the means to lift off from . . . struggle and sail into a vast universe of possibility.'Benjamin Zander is the conductor of The Boston Philharmonic and is well known for his orchestra's passionate performances. Rosamund Stone Zander is an executive coach, family therapist, and private practitioner who brings enormous psychological perspective to enhancing human behavior. They have written a fascinating book in which they alternate as voices in sharing principles and examples in the form of compelling stories.They have striven to make what they share ' . . . simple, not easy.' The idea is to help you create in yourself and in others 'transformational' improvements.They share a series of perspectives designed to improve your understanding of what and where the potential is.First, humans tend to focus on very few things, missing most of what is going on around them. By shifting focus, you will see many opportunities for the first time. Much of this book is designed to do that for you. You will visit our old friend the nine dot square and be reminded that connecting all of the dots in four lines without lifting your writing instrument from the paper requires you to go outside the box that we mentally draw at the circumference of the dots. Be careful about your assumptions! They can fence you in!Second, measurements can cause us to focus too narrowly on where we are today and encourage scarcity thinking -- the glass is half empty. The Zanders encourage thinking about the glass as half full, citing the well-known perspective of optimism as being empowering. This can help you 'step into a university of possibility.' I like to call this pursuing the ideal practice.Third, if you assume that people will do well and help them see how they can, they will. Mr. Zander gives every student an A in his class, and simply requests that the student write a paper to tell what they will do to deserve the A. This gets the students focused on excellence, and takes away the tension that harms accomplishment.Fourth, as a mindset, think of your role as 'being a contributor.' 'You are a gift to others.' How could that change what you do? As someone who thinks that way now, I find it a very useful perspective, and was glad to see it in the book.Fifth, lead from any chair. This is a reference to involving everyone. Mr. Zander asks his players to write down how he could improve practices and peformances, and pays attention to the suggestions.Sixth, follow rule number six. That rule is to 'lighten up.'Seventh, be present to the ways things are. Many of us are disconnected from reality. By re-touching it, we can see more possiblities.Eighth, give way to passion. Going with your strong feelings allows you to be more authentic, and to go to new heights of accomplishment.Ninth, light a spark. See you role as creating a spark of possibility to be lit that others can see.Tenth, be the board of the game you are playing. This makes it easier to see how you can make a difference.Eleventh, create a vision that generates 'frameworks of possibility' for others. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous 'I Have a Dream' speech is cited.Twelfth, tell the WE story. Focus on being inclusive and considering what is best for all. Move from I to We, as the Coda to the book encourages.Each section has exercises you can use to deepen your understanding of the principles and to help you practice, in order to create greater skill.The principles are similar to those in many other books about improving performance and creativity. What is different about the book are the unique ways that the principles are expressed, the exciting examples in beautiful stories from music and business that will be new to you (as they were to me), and the passion with which the Zanders write. I would love to hear them do this book on an audio cassette! Both do public speaking, so you may get a chance to hear them.Can we ever get too many great inspirational stories and reminders to live up to our potential rather than our pasts? I don't think so. This book will reignite your passion for making a larger and more positive difference. It will make you more human as you do so.After you have finished the book, consider where your passion, gifts, and influence can combine to all you to most effectively live these principles. Consider that as a calling for at least some of your leisure time. If you are lucky, you can find some way to make that a primary calling for your working hours, as well. But find that place, and spend as much time as you can there!

       Fresh and inspiring, 11. März 2006

The Art of Possibility from R.S. Zander and B. Zander is a well written and very interesting book about how you can approach your life from a different point of view: Instead of comparing yourself to others and striving for your own survival, you can be of service and make yourself available for others. You can act from a place of respect that gives the people around you the room to realize themselves. If you like those kinds of possibilities, you might also enjoy “Working on Yourself Doesn’t Work” by Ariel and Shya Kane. Their approach of living in the moment and not in your thoughts is very refreshing. You can explore your life and your truth like an anthropologist: neutrally and without judging. I highly recommend it for anybody who is looking for a new approach for a fulfilling and satisfying life.