The Miles Davis Leadership Model

Miles Davis, through his jazz innovations, has really set up a great model for leadership. In 1959, he released Kind Of Blue, which not only boasted an all-star retinue of musicians, but forged a new path in Jazz, by introducing mode-based formats.

Instead of improvising along chord changes, he and his band followed a set of five modes, which served as a “harmonic Guide”, according to Mark Gridley. What I love about this departure from the previous model of jazz improvisation is that it expanded the creativity of each performer, since they had a broader range from which to improvise, but also that it contained harmonic parameters that still created an overall tone that the piece was trying to capture.

To me, there are great leadership insights to be drawn from this model of mode-based formats. So much of leadership in the modern paradigm has a linearity to it that can be stifling; If you just do this, then this will happen. Although results may be guaranteed and controlled to a certain degree, over time those who follow begin to disconnect from their task or role, and motivation and inspiration diminish, lowering not only that persons leadership capacity, but also their sense of personal contribution.

As we engage and attempt to shape post-modern culture for the kingdom, the modern model of linearity cannot sustain the desires and values of the post-modern generation; that of creativity, flow, relativity, etc. However, just as Miles Davis changed to mode-based formats to increase creativity as a result of his frustration at the lack of creativity afforded by chord-style improvisation, we too should consider ways in which we can expand the creative and fluid capacity of our leadership.

One cultural observation that underscores this need to design less-structured leadership models is the value of freedom and creativity. Our culture seems obsessed with experiencing freedom and independence, even in team-orientated or highly inter-dependent settings.

Less and less do I find someone willing to act on an instruction given to them without questioning its validity. Again, the paradigm of linearity is losing steam, rendering many leadership models highly dependent on linearity ineffective.

Practically, it seems increased vision, future-orientated discussions, and broader parameters, including thinking on a global scale, all expand the capacity for creativity, ingenuity, and flow.

The fear in expanding and allowing for greater creativity and flow seems to be a loss of control. However, with these greater, long-term goals in mind in light of vision and the world, it would seem that long-term mode-based leadership if you will can offer greater rewards. Not only will those who follow experience the freedom and almost awe-inducing sense of exercising their creativity, but that we might see an increase in effectiveness in light of scope, since the big picture is what’s on peoples minds, and they are working creatively to get there.

Wouldn’t it be powerful to be a Harmonic Guide, structuring the overall tone of whatever culture we are attempting to shape, yet allowing and providing individuals with the creative space to exercise their unique attributes, giftings, and personality.

How freeing would it be to lead in a mode-based manner, less focused on individual chords, more focused on overall tone? I have noticed that when the overall tone is the focus instead of the individual chord, more of the people involved in setting the tone seems to ooze forth, revealing their deep passions and values.

Perhaps I have had too much coffee or really really like Miles davis, but I have seen great similarities between mode-based jazz and post-modern spiritual leadership. Any thoughts?