It was supposed to teach me about teamwork - and you know what?

It did!

John Scalici is the founder of Get Rhythm! and he provides drum circle training sessions to companies, schools and professional organizations.

His sessions with drums are one big leadership metaphor.  Organizations have too many employees who are playing their instruments with no direction, no focus and no leadership.  When that happens, you have NOISE in the system.

However, when you can get everyone in our office on the same "beat," you can make beautiful music together.

Each person in our 40 member group chose an instrument:  a drum, shakers, metal bells and yes, even wooden alligators.  When we started, we made a LOT of noise, but no music.  With just a little help from John, we were all able to get into rhythm and truly make music as a team!

As leaders, we frequently think of these "team-building activities" as a bunch of nonsense.  Sure, the team activity is fun, but it does not translate into any behavioral changes at work (think 'ropes-course activity').

But the drum circles content has proven data that shows it lowers stress in the workplace and helps to ward off the bad cells that cause stress.  A division of Toyota in California was so impressed that they ordered $20,000 worth of drums, and now them use them as part of their regular employee training.

If this sounds like something your team needs, you can find out more information at www.getrhythmprograms.com

and then you, too, can "...bang on the drum all day!" (Thanks, Todd Rundgren!)