Reinforcing team bonding using tamtams is the unusual idea of music coach Paul Houle, creator of Boom! The Power of Rhythm
In 1999, Paul Houle, musician and professor at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, dreamed up a new concept: drumming courses for professionals to build team spirit. He then launched Boom! The Power of Rhythm, specializing in using music as a training tool!His idea is simple. He gathers employees into a convivial circle, and gives them a two-hour basics of drumming course. Houle is convinced that “playing percussion instruments is one of the purest forms of communication that exits, and the skills required to play well in a group are the same as those for teamwork.” Listening, adapting, anticipating and clearly communicating ideas are skills needed by both musicians and employees. Djembe sessions drum the importance of good communication, sharing of viewpoints and openness to others into participants.
Companies call on Boom’s services to assist with organizational change or mergers. Employees who barely know each other share a moment of play, and barriers disappear. This type of approach can be more effective than long speeches. “Music is something that makes sense right away, but I nevertheless make sure before a seminar that I understand my client’s issues and undertake to convey their message,” explains Houle. Companies that invest in percussion workshops have a specific managerial objective in mind, and, while banging away on a drum is fun, the underlying purpose is to enhance employee performance—hence making sure that the message is properly conveyed. But as Houle says, “One percussion course is not enough to communicate a corporate message.” As with all forms of learning, a few additional sessions may be required for employees to understand the importance of communicating properly and how to apply it in the workplace
“While some employees may show reticence at the beginning of the sessions, the rhythm quickly transports them,” explains Houle. Ultimately, reactions are positive and spread very quickly by word of mouth. This atypical management technique is currently very popular. Boom! The Power of Rhythm is doubling its sales every year, and the team makes about 70 trips a year throughout Canada, the U.S. and even Europe.
Carswell, Universal Studio Home Video, Bell, Hewlett-Packard, Imax and government departments have used Boom facilitators for tam-tam teambuilding and to infuse their teams with energy
After off-road driving, hiking in the Rockies, cooking classes and bungie jumping, you can now try the power of rhythm. All means are good for reinforcing team spirit and generating initiatives