We talk a lot about tempo here at Banding People Together, the speed at which you play a piece of music, the speed and pace at which you prefer to work.

Tempo difference is one of the biggest factors that contributes to misalignment and conflict.

I was reading an interview with the band R.E.M. about their struggles in the mid-2000’s when they essentially stopped working and broke up. Guitarist Peter Buck sited the band’s work tempo as his number-one issue, leading him to quit (then rejoin) the band.

The problem; he liked to work fast, the rest of the band… not so much. The band’s 2008 album Accelerate took four years to complete.

“I like to work really spontaneously,” Buck said. “The guys in R.E.M. don’t feel that way so it’s a struggle. Everyone knew the way we were working wasn’t working”

With help from their producers and some outside counseling, the band was able to get to clarity about their issues and find a new way of working that would allow them to be themselves and still function as a band.

At Banding People Together we use powerful data to help you see the tempo gaps that are causing friction AND show you how to do something about it in a way that is easy.

What would your world look like if you could accelerate EVERYTHING that mattered in your business?

Now that the band has learned to understand each other’s wiring better, they can laugh about their differences. After a show, Buck goes his own way while the band has hours-long dinners.

The next day he asks, “How was it last night, Mike?” He goes, “God it was great. You woulda hated it!”

Rock on!

-Alan