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Patterns are everywhere – in mathematics, music, art, fashion, language, technology, nature, science, mechanics, medicine, weather, time, traffic, and design. Layered in and weaved among these areas are perhaps the most interesting patterns of all – the patterns of human behavior.

In all these areas, the pieces that make up the patterns – for example, the notes on a musical scale – are not all the same. In fact, they can be complete opposites. But when played in a good composition at the hands of a skilled musician, they create harmony.

And when those notes are not played together well, the result is discord.

In the workplace, the result is similar.

When you have individuals working together well, you have harmony. When they do not work together well, you have discord, every bit as irritating as nails on a chalkboard.

Sound familiar?

Every leader, at some point, must deal with discord. The good news is that it can be corrected.

Here are some ways you can create harmony in the workplace.

1. Variety matters.

People, like notes, are meant to be different and complementary. This is where it helps to map team strengths. If all the leaders in a business are in one quadrant, the business will be missing key components for success.

2. Arrangement matters.

If every member of an orchestra were playing from a different score, the results would be disastrous. While each plays a different instrument, they must play the same score. Having a centralized system, good documentation, and clear communication is the score of a business. It is what ensures each team member is operating in coordination with the rest of the team. This promotes progress and efficiency and calms the chaos.

3. Timing matters.

You may have highly qualified musicians playing the same score, but if one of them is off on their timing, you will know it!

Timing is also a key factor in workplace discord. There are always those who are quick to start and those who think first and then take action. This is where the conductor comes in. Their role is to coordinate these natural speeds into one streaming flow.

In a business, conductors are called project managers and directors. They are the people who, personality wise, align in the middle of the fast action takers and the deep thinkers, and who can deftly wave the baton that helps them calibrate their timing. It is also important that the leader develops a culture within the organization that recognizes the value of each person’s timing.

4. Talent matters.

This is all about having the right person in the right seat. You could have the best percussionist in the world, but if you put them in the strings section with a violin in hand, they will not be able to perform at their best. As a leader, your role is to not only hire great talent, but to position them for success.

Many will hire extraordinary talent but miss this second point, resulting in a high turnover rate. In this situation, no one wins because the organization incurs the cost of a constant hiring and training cycle; and very talented people walk away in frustration.

Harmony or discord?

The difference is leadership. Which are you creating in your organization?

As the CEO of Strength Leader Development, Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after international executive mentor, coach, trainer, and speaker. Deb is well versed in global business operations and helps business leaders and their teams to discover and leverage their strengths, so they can create highly collaborative teams that deliver great results. With a refreshingly direct style, and using the Maxwell Method, Deb helps leaders and teams to deliver profitable results. Connect with Deb to learn more about her mentorship and coaching programs to equip you with advanced strategies to elevate your results.