Insights from Stephen Sondheim for the I Love Coaching Game
Hey Coach,
Coach Dave here.
In the I Love Coaching Game for August 2011 we will explore one of Thomas Leonard’s Evolutionary Progressions: From Idea to Expression to Art.
(Find out how you can play the August 2011 Game for Fr*ee)
In the game YOU will be “challenged” (and encouraged) to start with an idea and create “Art” in 26 days. AND share it with the team in some way. This will be fun.
One of my favorite lines about Art was from the spectacular musical by Stephen Sondheim in “Sunday in the Part with George” about themaverick French Impressionist painter Georges Seurat’s efforts to create his masterpiece, Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte.
(pictured here)
In the I Love Coaching game we will watch a video of a recent performance of “Putting It Together”, one of the songs from the show and discuss the lyrics.
Here are a few of the poignant lyric lines…
“Bit by bit,
Putting it together…
Piece by Piece—
Only way to make a work of art.
Every moment makes a contribution,
Every little detail plays a part.
Having just a vision’s no solution,
Everything depends on execution:
Putting it together—
That’s what counts!
Small amounts,
Adding up to make a work of art.
First of all you need a good foundation,
Otherwise it’s risky from the start.
Takes a little cocktail conversation,
But without the proper preparation,
Having just a vision’s no solution,
Everything depends on execution.
The art of making art is putting it together
Bit by bit…
Link by link,
Making the connections…
Drink by drink
Fixing and perfecting the design.
Adding just a dab of politician
(Always knowing where to draw the line).
Lining up the funds but in addition
Lining up a prominent commission,
Otherwise your perfect composition
Isn’t going to get much exhibition.
Art isn’t easy.
Every minor detail
Is a major decision,
Have to keep things in scale,
Have to hold to your vision—…”
– Stephen Sondheim
I love that part about every minor detail is a major decision. I can sure relate to that!
So how do we coaches make art that contributes to the value we add to our players desires and efforts to play their games better?
I see websites as art!
a teleclass,
a blogpost / article
a model / diagram
perhaps even the coaching session itself is art form!
Britannica Online defines art as “the use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others.”
And what about this…
As more and more coaching with our clients is about self-expression and adding value with their talents it will serve us well to understand “Art”.
Is Art coach-able?
I think it is.
So…
a) How do you make art? Please share your comments here.
b) Do you support your clients / players to make art?
and
c) are you up for the fun of creating some ART to share in the August “I Love Coaching Game”?
All of the details about the August I Love Coaching game and how you can register for Free are here!
I look forward to seeing you in the game!
Please share your thoughts below. OR send me an email: coachdave at coachville-220824.mystagingwebsite.com