Exploring how we can foster a collaborative and inclusive culture whilst allowing remote working?

Choirs:

Culture of a Workplace:

At this time of adapting to the new city landscape there are three C words which keep cropping up. Confidence, Collaboration and Culture. How can companies install confidence in the returning workforce, encourage collaboration and learning from each other and create a positive and thriving culture to retain and attract talent?  

Making music with your colleagues may initially fill you with fear but music making is the most inclusive activity you can do. At Music in Offices, through offering instrumental lessons, band sessions, singing workshops and regular choirs we bring people together and encourage a sharing of ideas and expression which bonds people in such a human way - away from the pressures of work. In this way, participating in music activities brings a truly collaborative approach to the workplace. Learning how to listen, to each have an equal voice and to work towards a shared performance is a powerful learning process to go through together.

Singing regularly in a choir is a levelling activity. You are standing shoulder to shoulder next to colleagues from different departments, in different levels of seniority - but singing together you are all equal. 

At the beginning of any session, people may feel a little self-conscious, however, by the end of the music workshop everyone will be singing from the rooftops and will have come together through the power of song. Chrissy Silver at Channel 4 expressed that "The C4 choir brings together a diverse group individuals, different ages, different backgrounds, different cultures, that would otherwise never cross paths. A shared passion that has made us runners-up at the Office Choir Of The Year, taken us to stunning and unusual London venues, collaborating with other office and school choirs and not forgetting joyful Christmas carolling in the cold raising money for local charities”

We know that good working relationships lead to increased innovation and collaboration. The desire for community is deeply felt by all of us - and we need this in the working environment where you’re under stress, working in silos and can often feel isolated. Especially at this time when you may be working from home regularly - a singing session on zoom or onsite will leave you feeling positive and happy. The choir creates a community and support - so much so that one senior partner encourages all her team to be in the choir as she sees the value of creating this network of colleagues from across the business; a new internal team where you can short cut communications to solve problems between you. 

George Clode, The Telegraph, said “I love having choir at work because it’s a great opportunity to meet new people. You brush shoulders with people that you wouldn’t necessarily brush shoulders with in the office environment but mainly you get to sing some amazing songs with some really wonderful people and it’s a great chance to express yourself musically.”

A positive working culture in an organisation which embraces creativity has the potential to transform the health and wellbeing of its employees. Accessing the arts through music making and more generally working with our own creativity, stimulating our imaginations  can improve our health if we have diagnosed mental or physical health problems and also the health of our communities.

When cultural initiatives, social clubs and ideas are endorsed at a very senior level then the workplace culture is positive, collaborative and hugely productive. Through our instrumental lessons, our clients get time away from their desks each week where they can escape from the pressures of the day, bang a drum, absorb themselves in learning that tune on the guitar, or understanding the intricacies of Lieder and the voice, which brings them back to their desks feeling revitalised, happier and more productive. The same effectiveness is achieved whilst working from home. The process of learning something new and different to everyday ‘work’ helps to develop transferable skills such as how to give constructive, positive feedback and finding more creative solutions to the issues of the day.

Here is a photo of me teaching Simon Levine, Co-CEO of DLA Piper, someone who demonstrates a very good example of why there is such an inclusive, positive culture in this firm Simon believes taking time out for a music lesson gives people space and time which helps them to focus on their own wellbeing. 

Patrick Massey, Division Director, Macquarie says:

"Being part of Music in Offices allows for a great way to meet new people - not just from where I work, but also across different companies. Making music together is a very personal way of networking and I have met a number of new colleagues and friends through playing the piano at MIO events and sessions." 

The CEO of Norton Rose Fulbright, Peter Martyr, our first client back in 2007, says,“The positive impact that music-making has on our business and its people is significant. It brings many benefits, in terms of productivity and effective work relationships as well as external networking and brand profile. Music in offices has provided us with a highly motivating and valuable initiative which has boosted staff morale and supported the development of effective community and corporate relationships.”