About Jazz Impact

Passion

Jazz is a culture in which passion and motivation are generated by a sense of authenticity. When we believe what we are doing is important and has a purpose larger than ourselves, we develop passion that energizes not just ourselves but also the people we work with. All too often, businesses attempt to instill passion through external triggers that tend to quash the spirit rather than kindle it. The passion of emotional commitment comes from within and is supported by a belief in the integrity of the organizational culture to which we belong.

Emotional commitment is generated through a sustainable feedback loop. When people feel a deep passion for what the do everyday it quickly generates a sense of purpose. When people feel a sense of purpose they feel passion for what they do. This is a sustainable energy source that lies within every member of an organization.

Negotiating Change

The members of a jazz ensemble possess and practice a set of shared behaviors that we call the Five Dynamics of Jazz. These five dynamics, whose acronym is APRIL are:

• Autonomy

  Self-governing, self-regulating, adaptable and independent—yet in support of—and interdependent with, the structure and purpose of the team. More ›

• Passion

  The single most important resource for any company lives in the diverse nature of the heart of each of its employees—the quality of emotional vibrancy, zest, commitment, and energy to pursue excellence and the course one believes to be true. More ›

• Risk

  Taking risk in jazz means minimizing the confining elements of process while maximizing the output of constructive new ideas and perspectives. It means the ability to take chances and explore new territory and methods in pursuit of shared goals, and the ability to support others in their explorations. More ›

• Innovation

  A conscious, purposeful search for new opportunities—the ability to engage unexpected change, incongruities and problems as opportunities for new discovery. Innovation means the skill to create the new by reinventing the old in ever-changing new contexts. More ›

• Listening

  In a world of increasing complexity and diversity survival depends on the ability to listen beyond the comfort zone of what we already understand. To truly hear and feel the communication of new ideas, of passion, meaning and the rhythms of others. More ›