The CLEF Method
Formulated from the lessons learned over thousands of hours in the rehearsal room, the CLEF Method is a simple yet impactful tool designed by the Concordia String Quartet that helps teams to get on the same page, find common goals, communicate with dignity and respect, and find insparation in the work they do.
Discussed in full at our most popular workshop, Working In Harmony, the CLEF Method helps teams and organizations find their common goal and create their best work.
Getting your team in tune.
C: Center the Work
One of the fundamental principles of working effectively as a string quartet is our ability to stay focused on the bigger picture, to hold the granular details of the music in the context of the whole, and in each moment of critical feedback, we Center the Work. Holding our common goal of excellence as a compass allows us to communicate and demand the highest level from each member in a way that avoids the pitfalls of blame and defensiveness. We can challenge each other and strive for the best, while still creating a positive and supportive work environment. Centering the Work encourages each member to be open to new ideas, be willing to commit themselves to ideas that aren’t their own, and embrace their role in creating the highest level work.
L: Listen Orchestrally
No one’s work product lives in isolation, even though it can often feel that way. How is the part I’m playing right now connected to those around me? What role am I playing in any given moment? And will the team succeed more easily if I step up and take the reins, or step back to support those around me? By Listening Orchestrally, we learn to raise our awareness to the ebb and flow of the interpersonal and inter-work dynamics at play in any given moment, and constantly assess what our role is; where we should lean in, where we should step back, and what’s needed to help those around us succeed.
E: Engage with Inquiry
Learning to approach problem solving and moments of potential friction from a place of inquiry is critical to fostering environments where people remain open to positive vulnerability and don’t feel shut down. Learning how to use neutral, diplomatic, and direct language allows teams to problem solve and get to the heart of the matter without anyone feeling defensive. No great ensemble - no great team - can achieve the highest results without learning how to navigate moments of tension and feedback in a way that inspire, rather than discourage.
F: Feed Creativity
Teams function at their best when each member feels committed to their work, and the best teams recognize that a crucial part of being committed to their work is feeling heard and valued. Finding moments to foster and encourage creativity, to try new ideas, and to nurture environments where people are willing to be wrong is key.
How do we find room for fresh ideas when our environments are so often purely results and output focused? How do we create teams where people are willing to let go of their own preconceived notion or idea in favor of someone else’s idea for the greater good? How do we create a team dynamic where people are willing to be wrong? By giving room for the creative process, even in places where we might least expect it, we can create a culture where people can dream up new ideas, new processes, and Feed Creativity.