# No Music is Playing By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-02-22 What is an effective rhythm? Is it a constant thud on every beat popular in today's clubs? Or, is it the gliding ups and downs of a waltz's one-two-three? The short answer is it depends on the situation. But something is mesmerizing about a good rhythm when it aligns with one's life or organization. Thus, an effective rhythm makes work feel effortless in the moment. This doesn't mean that one isn't tired at the end of the work, but while it is happening, one feels moved to float along in what some call the flow state. As individuals, there is much talk about rhythms and flow states to maximize output and happiness. However, little is said about organizations and rhythm outside assembly factories and military maneuvers. These organizational examples are based on rigid execution to maximize mechanical performance. Therefore, the rhythms here are regular and repeated endlessly. There are no frills, bridges, or pauses for dramatic effect. All of these things are what make music and rhythm enjoyable. A constant thud is counterproductive within organizations where knowledge work is the primary task. There is no space to explore and flow up and down. These "flowing" rhythms enable one to get lost in thinking, exploring, and creating while still keeping in time with the rest of the organization. Think of a ballroom with everyone dancing around without any direction other than the one-two-three of the waltz playing in the background. They move and flow together in emergent and unpredictable patterns while still in sequence. This shows that alternative rhythms are possible if the right music is being played and individuals know the basics of the dance and are allowed the freedom to move about. The most significant issue is not the individuals learning the dance or even giving individuals the freedom to move about. It's that no music is being played that is conducive to flow. So, organizations see people bumping into each other as each is trying to figure things out without any intentionally productive rhythm. This causes organizations to restrict freedom to prevent perceived "injuries" while implementing the boring and pointless beat of thud after thud: March robots, march. There should be little wonder why organizations progress so little. #### Related Items [[Music]] [[Work]] [[Organization]] [[Military]] [[Progress]] [[Dance]] [[Thinking]] [[Creative]]