Chuck D, is an American rapper, author, and producer. As the leader of the rap group Public Enemy, he helped create politically and socially conscious hip hop music in the mid-1980s. More recently, he continues to be an activist, publisher, lecturer, and producer. While you may not be a fan or even like rap music and its graphic presentations of life, there is something about his thriving for over 30 years in a rapidly changing, what’s next profession that was compelling to me.
Specifically, it was an article for Newsday that caught my attention. Chuck talks about the process of creating new music. He relays, “The first step is the song and the second step is to record it so that it enhances the idea. Most record companies are happy with reaching Step 2 and having an incredible recording. Step 3 is performing the song so that it challenges the record. We want to be better than the recording and that’s not easy. Most people back off of it. We are very happy when we achieve Step 3. Step 4 is believing the song so that you truly believe what the song is saying and it kind of coming out organically.”
Then there’s the elusive Step 5. Chuck relays, “The fifth step is when you are bleeding the song. It is euphoric. It transforms anything around it. We have other words for it like ‘syncronicity.’ Sometimes you get there and sometimes you don’t.”
Ever get to the fifth step in your work? What does it even look like? For leaders, it’s that point in time that an idea, concept or moment of inspiration is unfolding before you to truly help people, to change lives or solve a significant problem. It’s understanding that all the blood, sweat, tears, sleepless nights and false steps were totally worth it as you see an amazing smile on a new resident. Or maybe it’s the light going off in a team member and they begin to understand a concept you have been teaching for months.
Elusive, you bet. Amazing, you bet. How often we all settle at Step 2 and believe there is nothing more to gain. But there is, there always is. Helping all of us to reach the fifth step energizes us, keeps us engaged and is a central reason around beginning the journey at ForgeWorks.
What’s your next fifth step adventure?
Steve Jeffrey is the Co-Founder/Guild Master of ForgeWorks and is passionate about building great foundations in people and non-profit organizations. His work is focused on innovation, strategy, affiliations and cultural alignment.