Corporate Training Magazine

Connecting Teams and Organizations Through Corporate Drumming
Vol 2 Issue 1- Jan 2006

By Tom Crandell

BOOM! The energy of the tribal rhythms of the drum echoes through your body. Rattle. Rattle. Whoosh. The gentle sounds of nature mix with the thundering beats. BOOM! Again, the sound resonating to your core. Clank. Clank. And suddenly everything goes silent. Then a voice breaks the calm. "Sorry everybody. I dropped my boomwhacker," calls out the company CEO, and she along with the entire auditorium break out in laughter.

For business to function most effectively, all of its working parts – departments, teams/workgroups, management and employees – need to be in synch. The reality for many companies, however, is a very different story. Increasing work demands, diversity of behavioural types and working styles, and a general sense of disconnection between–and even within–functional areas of the organization have left many companies asking what can be done to bring back corporate harmony and have everyone resonating on the same frequency.

It's the same sentiment that touched the heart of Nigerian cultural ambassador Babatundi Olatunji when he arrived in North America in the 1950s. Baba was immediately moved by the need to address the widespread ignorance of Africa, and it became his mission to expose and enlighten North Americans to the wealth of African culture in which he grew up. He did this by introducing us to multicultural drumming, and Baba's message of universal rhythmic expression planted the seed that fostered a nation of a single family of humanity. To this date, he is acknowledged as the progenetor of drumming circles in the Western world.

The same techniques that Baba employed to unite a nation divided are now being applied within the context of the corporate environment. We spend over 75% of our time at work. It's a significant part of who we are and why we're here, so why not make the best of it.

"We all have a drummer in us," philosophized Judy Atkinson, founder of Circles of Rhythm. "There is something magical about drumming. It's hard to put your finger on it, but it changes people forever. Individuals walk into a drum circle as complete strangers and walk out with a connection that goes beyond words. It's these connections that is drawing companies to these circles."

And the circle, in and of itself, is one of the primary conditions for the success of drumming as a means to bring teams and individuals together. "We sit in a circle to deliver the message that everyone–every individual, every role, every department, every workgroup–is of equal value and makes a significant contribution to the organization. Everyone has an instrument to play, a voice, a tool for communication, and is a significant contributor to the success of the group. In essence, it removes the workplace hierarchy and allows everyone from the front-line worker to the CEO to relate to each other and connect as individuals," she contended.

Another important aspect of the circle is that everyone can see everyone else. Being able to see your co-workers with you in the circle, to look them in the eye, to read their emotions in their face and their body language provides for a deeper, more meaningful sense of 'connectnedness'.

Unleashing Creative Energy
The benefit of revitalizing creativity in the workplace is multidimensional. Creativity is a vital element of success in a competitive global marketplace and to keep up with the rapid pace of change. It also provides a stimulating working environment, leading to reduced staff turnover and a more cohesive work culture.

Atkinson affirmed, "Each person is unique, with their own values and perspectives. Fostering an environment that encourages the expression of this uniqueness so that it can be shared with the group enhances innovative thinking by unlocking the creative energy within each employee. In drum circles, this begins with each person selecting their own instrument rather than assigning them. Interestingly, their selections are often indicative of their behavioural types and communication styles.

"People are also encouraged to periodically trade instruments. This allows individuals to experiment with who they are and how they want to communicate, and they begin to discover their preferred style of expression and voice. They also develop a better understanding of their co-workers and their unique styles.

"In addition, as quickly as possible, we encourage people to play their own rhythm. This is a purposeful deviation from traditional learning settings with strict, pre-defined procedures that participants must follow. Drum circles are empowering, not dictatorial. We have long ago moved away from the teacher mode, pounding out instructions with a 'Follow me. I'm the leader.' attitude. The leadership approach in drum circles is as a facilitator or guide of learning to inspire creative self-expression," she added.

Workplace Wellness
In addition, current cutting-edge research has shown a remarkable impact of group drumming on our physical well-being. Employees are more content and satisfied on a day-to-day basis, which in turn shows up in a reduction in stress leave as well as higher awareness and decreased levels of work-related depression.

But perhaps the most remarkable dimension of drumming is the way it facilitates learning without words. The spoken word is artificial and subjective. As a means of communication it is on the surface and open to misinterpretation. Drumming, on the other hand, is a much deeper method of connecting and communicating, reaching to the core of each individual.

"Eight years ago the drum circle woke me up. It gave me the energy and desire to not only go on, but to create a life I have always longed for. I am forever grateful to drumming and the drum circle for inspiring me to be the best I can be and to give back my zen for life to others."