Four Lessons from a Jazz Saxophonist: Take the LEAD

In 1937 at the Kansas City Reno Club, a teenage saxophonist sat in on a jam session and during a solo over the tune “I Got Rhythm” he revealed that the title was more of an aspiration than a characteristic.

The solo was just plain bad.

So bad, that the band stopped playing and the drummer threw a cymbal at the young man to express their frustration.

The saxophonist left the stage that day and went home to practice, learning every popular jazz tune in every key, and went back the next year to blow everyone away, going on to become one of the greatest saxophonists of all time: The Bird, Charlie Parker.[1]

Insight from a Jazz Legend

When we experience a gap between desire and reality and between expectation and outcome, the result can often be frustrating, humiliating, and discouraging. What I love about Charlie Parker’s origin story is how it demonstrates the determination needed to achieve anything of significance. Instead of running away from the early moments of frustration, humiliation, and discouragement, Parker used the experience as fuel to continue leaning in, educating himself, applying his knowledge and skills, and doing more than expected and more than others were willing to do.  

Take The LEAD

Through my educational company, Hashtag Positivity, I facilitate a workshop for emerging leaders and their influencers at schools, companies, and organizations, called “Take the LEAD,” where LEAD is used as a useful acronym to remember four valuable practices for pursuing mastery in any chosen field. Even though The Bird never got the chance to take this workshop, he clearly lived by these four practices as a saxophonist:

1. Lean In

Parker didn’t wait until he was great before stepping onto the stage. He leaned in even though he was only “good enough” and used those early experiences on stage to inform his emerging talent and as fuel to keep going.

2. Educate Yourself

Parker recognized that there was a skills gap between what he wanted to do and what he was currently capable of doing. He rolled up his sleeves and invested time in learning what he needed in order to fill in that gap. 

3. Apply What You Know

Knowledge and skills aren’t enough. We actually have to apply what we know. After a year of practice, Parker went back to the Kansas City Reno Club to apply what he had learned in a real-world setting—and blew everyone away!

4. Do More Than Expected & More Than Others Are Willing To Do

Job descriptions are for people who don’t want to lose their jobs. For people who want to excel in their vocation, job descriptions are a launching pad. Parker did more than expected and more than most of his peers were willing to do, and changed the shape of popular music, inspiring a new generation of musicians for years to come.

Reflection

1. What’s one thing you can do to lean into your dream?
2. What knowledge or skills do you need to learn along the way?
3. How will you put your knowledge and skills into practice to fulfill your vision?
4. Are you sincerely willing to do more than expected and more than others are willing to do? What will that look like? And what sacrifices might you have to make along the way?

Final Thoughts

When we experience a gap between desire and reality and between expectation and outcome, the result can often be frustrating, humiliating, and discouraging. Yet, when you’re engaged and inspired by a dream and motivated by a vision, you become empowered and encouraged to Take The LEAD by leaning in, educating yourself, applying what you know, and doing more than expected and more than others are willing to do.  

Want More?

Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, Hashtag Positivity, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life take you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: jonas@hashtagpositivity.com

[1] Fordham, J. (2011, June 16). A teenage Charlie Parker has a cymbal thrown at him. The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/17/charlie-parker-cymbal-thrown