The Jazz Process

Book excerpt: Adrian Cho leads a jazz orchestra in Canada when he isn't developing IBM software. Now he wants to tell you how Miles Davis can change your business life. Cho touts jazz units such as Davis' immortal, innovative bands as models for high-performance teamwork. He derives 14 best practices from observing that standout performers in good jazz groups work together in an environment of alert listening and mutual respect to make great music off the cuff. He doesn't limit his examples to jazz, finding combo cognates in basketball, auto racing and the military. The upshot is a concept of leadership and teamwork that's well suited for the Google-age workplace. Alas, the text is dense and the graphics aren't very helpful. Trying to parse the earnest but process-heavy prose may make you play the blues. Still, getAbstract recommends this innovative book to human resources professionals, executives and managers needing new harmonies, and employees who know they could make a better contribution if only someone would let them play a solo.