Being in a band teaches you that teamwork isn’t about talent alone. It’s about listening, shared responsibility, trust, and the confidence to play your part while letting others shine. It seems, then, that the same principles that make music work are the ones that make workplace teams perform, too.
I was reminded of this recently. Not in a Teams call or when running a workshop, but somewhere else entirely.
Why Being in a Band is a Lesson in Teamwork
From the age of 5, I always wanted to play the drums, inspired by Animal from The Muppets. But I had to wait until I was 18 to get my first drum kit. I then proceeded to drum in several bands through the early 90s into the noughties.
For various reasons, the bands dissipated – and for the last 25 years, I’ve found myself drumming in my office ‘Ginger Heights’, wishing I was still in a band, missing the creativity and absolute buzz that live music can bring… but doing absolutely nothing about it.
A classic case of procrastination – talking a good game but backing it up with zero action.
But during lockdown, my wife spotted a Facebook post from a local musician looking for like-minded people with a desire to play music. Here was my chance, my Slumdog Millionaire moment. Had all roads led to this? Were all my years of working as a professional speaker on motivation, confidence, risk-taking and growth mindset going to pay off?
I replied instantly, and the upshot of that positive action and swift response is that I recently played my first live gig in 25 years, outdoors to a sea of people, including friends, family and locals. And it’s already gone into my top ten moments of all time. I cannot remember the last time I was that happy – and I’m happy a lot!
And so, what are the lessons learned from this small but pivotal, positive, proactive decision?
Teamwork lessons from playing in a band
I think back to that moment when my wife asked if I’d reply. It would have been so easy to say no or tell her I’d do it tomorrow.
Instead, on reflection, I made my values centric to my decision-making process. When we remember to do that, that’s when things start to really change. It was also a leap of faith, a desire to seek out a new opportunity, as I had no idea at that point if I would connect with this other musician. Would we have the same musical taste? Would we get on? Could we play in a way that worked and sounded great?
A lot of this is relatable to teams within workplaces. So here are my top 5 lessons from being in a band that apply to any team.
Collaboration
Working together in a band means recognising that the drummer, guitarist and vocalist all play different roles — and none of them works in isolation.
The same applies in the workplace. When different skills are respected and given space, ideas improve. People feel ownership. Delivery becomes a shared responsibility rather than a solo performance.
Communication & listening
In a band, communication isn’t just verbal. It’s eye contact before a chorus. A nod to extend a solo. A shift in tempo you feel rather than hear.
In the workplace, strong communication works the same way. It’s tuning into what isn’t being said in meetings, noticing energy shifts – and actively listening rather than waiting for your turn to speak. That’s what prevents miscommunication and unnecessary flare-ups.
Failing fast
When rehearsing, not every idea lands. Sometimes a song falls flat. Sometimes the rhythm is off. But you try it anyway.
In teams, innovation only happens when people feel safe enough to experiment. If everyone is protecting their image rather than testing ideas, creativity stalls. Progress requires trying, adjusting – and occasionally getting it wrong.
Creativity
In a band, creativity often comes from playing around — changing a tempo, layering harmonies differently, improvising a section.
In the workplace, creativity looks like challenging “how we’ve always done it,” asking better questions and giving people permission to explore alternatives rather than defaulting to safe answers.
Confidence and trust
On stage, confidence doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It grows from rehearsal, shared wins and knowing others will cover you if you slip.
In teams, trust develops the same way. It’s built when people follow through, admit mistakes and support one another under pressure. Confidence follows experience — not the other way around.
Applying Band Teamwork Lessons to the Workplace
I’ve known, talked about and explored all these five areas for years and have never seen it more defined than I have these past few months being a member of a band.
Now I’m not saying you have to immediately drop your coffee, watch School of Rock and get on stage at Wembley – although that sounds like a cracking afternoon. What I am asking you to consider are these questions to help move your team – or band – forwards:
- Who’s in your band? Family, friends, work colleagues?
- What are their strengths?
- What do you bring to it?
- What could make your band more creative?
- What name would best describe your band?
- How would other people describe your band?
- If someone didn’t like your band, how would they describe it?
- What is potentially missing from your band?
Leonardo Da Vinci once said we must look for ‘the art of science and the science of art.’
Everything is inextricably interconnected, and there are lessons to be learned around us every day.
Our abilities are rarely the issue. More often, it’s confidence, mindset and the environment we create around us.
Whether you’re leading a team, contributing to one, or building something new, the question isn’t whether people have potential. It’s whether the conditions exist for that potential to show up.
That’s where teamwork, engagement and trust intersect — not in theory, but in everyday behaviour.
So, go on… let a bit of your inner Animal out. You know you want to.
