Week 23.40 We are the Show

This past weekend, I became a Coldplay fan. I was fortunate to have amazing friends who invited me to the tour's final concert in the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. I have never been someone who goes to concerts in stadiums; the idea of being in a space with 68,000 people with music so loud it makes your ears hurt was not my idea of a great time. This concert was not that. We stood on the floor at roughly the 50-yard line. We arrived at 5:30, and the warm-up acts had already begun, but Coldplay would not start for another 3 hours. We settled in and found our spot standing at the center of the stage, about ten bodies back. We met a group of women ranging in age who were fans of the band and were ready for an immersive experience. We attracted two juniors from the University of Oregon who were already having a great time and were prepared to party. The crowd erupted when the band came out, just like in the movies. Standing in the center of this great mass of people, moving in unison to the music they all knew, it was easy to see what made this kind of concert so special and meaningful for the performers and the band. As I felt my body join the crowd, I looked around and could not help but see the universal joy and wonder. And I had to share some of my thoughts. 

It is hard to imagine anyone at the concert thinking of anything but the present moment of the musical experience. People expressed their delight differently–some cheered, some danced, some sang–but being fully present was always the same experience. Time melted away as we experienced The Adventure of a Lifetime. Though we had been standing for three hours and would stand for three more, there was no fatigue. The stadium was transformed by the light, the confetti, the fireworks, the laser beams–and, of course, the music and performance. Watching Chris Martin run and jump and bounce on stage for hours, it was hard to imagine that this band had been on tour for over two years and more than 150 shows. The secret was in plain sight. Whether performing at that level or experiencing the performance, everyone was fully present. We are at our fullest when we are wholly present. When the show ended, the stadium returned to its prior physical state. The stage and rigging became physical and heavy. People were happy but also tired. During the show, time and energy were infinite. 

Contrary to my fears of being in the crowd (I’m an introvert), the floor of the big stadium felt surprisingly intimate. The credit goes to our group of former strangers, who had bonded as a mini community to share the concert experience. My individual experience of the music was terrific; experiencing it with my dear friends and new friends took it to greater heights. We were not individuals listening to music; we were organizing, resonating to the same frequency, swaying in unison, and responding as one. The Rose Bowl as a partial container of a force that radiated out, generated from within. I had heard my concert-loving friends talk about this experience before, but hearing about it and experiencing it are barely related. This experience was collective, and it overwhelmed the senses, stripping away barriers and leaving us with the sensation that whatever we might think every day, during this concert, we are not alone. 

We had a great position to see the performance up close and personal. The pyrotechnics, theatrics, and lighting were spectacular. At one point, I turned my back to the stage to look at my friends, new and old, and then it hit me. We are the show. Seeing what the band would have seen, I saw A Sky Full of Stars in the crowd. It was a sea of faces of all types, sharing the same elevating experience entirely in the present moment. As the songs changed, a wide array of emotions also swept the crowd: joy, sadness, wonder, elation, and love. On everyone's face at the same time. The group was watching the performers, but the band saw the real show. Because what was playing out right in front of our eyes was the miracle of humanity, the wonder of each of us as human beings, the possibility of letting our guard down, being fully alive without fear. Coldplay was making the music; the crowd was creating the show. 

Chris Martin exhibited the traits of great leaders. While certainly the center of attention, he always recognized his bandmates, who he had been with for over 20 years. He involved the audience by celebrating how far they had come and the trouble they’d gone to in order to be at the show. He read each of their signs, invited a few people on stage, and asked the crowd to participate in singing certain songs. He elevated everyone in the stadium. He was humble when guest artists (Selena Gomez) appeared and was quick to recognize that while he certainly was the focal point, he was not the only source. Even when there was a technical problem, and he lost his cool for an instant, he was quick to publicly apologize and ask forgiveness. In life and leadership, there are standout examples of what is possible when leading from the heart; this was one. It was also a reminder of what is possible when we all work together, live fully in the present, and remember that we are the show.

THE UNLOCK MOMENT: 105 Jacquelyn Lane and Scott Osman: Becoming Coachable, Why Growth And Leadership Come From Within with Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD ACC

Do you have a coaching relationship today and you're trying to get the most of it? Or maybe you're looking to find a coach to help you figure things out in your life or career? Either way, this is the episode for you! You're going to learn all about how to Become Coachable and get the absolute best from a coaching relationship, from two of the very best in the business!

Scott and Jacquelyn have co-authored a new book together with Marshall Goldsmith called ‘Becoming Coachable’, a book that guides readers through the ins and outs of a successful coaching experience. You might have heard Marshall back in Episode 36 of The Unlock Moment – bookmark that for later. So now with Becoming Coachable – well if you want to figure out how to get the most from your relationship with a coach and how to upskill your leadership then keep listening! And of course as ever I’m curious about how two people with such different backgrounds connected as co-authors and how their Unlock Moments of remarkable clarity shaped the people they are today.

Becoming Coachable with Scott Osman & Jacquelyn Lane on the Counsel Culture Podcast with Eric Brooker

Good leaders maintain steady teams, achieve reasonable growth, and are comfortable in their authority. But great leaders recognize that unparalleled success comes from always seeking to improve. The stakes of leadership are higher than ever, and operating with maximum effectiveness is not only desirable but also imperative. What the world’s most influential leaders know is that the secret to achieving that effectiveness is becoming coachable. And in order to do so, one must be ready to engage in the process of betterment, starting with investing in yourself in order to give the most back to your organization, team, and the world. That’s where executive coaching comes in.

Imbued with decades of experience at the highest echelons of the industry, Becoming Coachable guides readers through the ins and outs of a successful coaching experience. Scott Osman, Jacquelyn Lane, and Marshall Goldsmith identify key leadership archetypes and unpack the intricacies of a typical engagement. They demystify the coaching relationship and outline a framework that hinges on openness.. Most important, however, is the invitation this book contains to propel a leader’s impact far beyond themselves

The Modern Manager Podcast: 275: Mastering Coachability For Effective Leadership with Mamie Kanfer Stewart

Top athletes in any sport have at least one coach, sometimes multiple, because they want to perform at their best. Turns out, managers aren’t so different from athletes!

In order for us to be the best leaders we can be, we need others to help us see our blindspots, push us to think and act in different ways and cheer us on when we’re unsure. In short, a coach can help you unlock your full potential. But coaching isn’t a magic wand. It all depends on how willing you are to be coachable. 

Scott, Jacquelyn, and I talked about the most important thing any leader can do: be coachable. They share the four aspects of coachability, why being coachable is so powerful, and how to take steps to help yourself become more coachable, plus a whole lot more!

With love, gratitude and wonder.

Scott