A friend of mine once turned me onto an interesting phenomenon; when humans sing together, the sounds that are in tune constructively interfere, while the sounds that are out of tune destructively interfere. You've probably noticed it before, how a crowd always sounds good. That crowd, however, is usually made up of a range of singers, even some that sing completely off key, yet, as a whole, the crowd has a wonderful voice.

You've probably noticed it before, how a crowd always sounds good

Just like in singing, all that we do, the companies, teams, or communities we build are made up of people who in some areas of life are "in tune" and other areas, not so much. When these people rub shoulders, and collaborate with each other, together, we always have a chance to be better than we are individually...but we need a "song" to attempt to follow. We need some organizing principles that we're individually, and collectively striving towards. Within those organizing principles, we need to have the conviction to speak our minds (whether we are right or wrong) and the humility to accept correction from our group. Not just from any group, but from our group, filled with the people trying their very best to follow the same tune.

This is the blessing and curse of community. In a church, team, or community that's aligned with our song...we are sped towards our destinies, stripped of those notes that aren't in tune (missing the mark). But in a community not aligned with your song...you get drowned out, lost, isolated. Your voice can be jarring. The pressure to lose yourself can be overwhelming...but don't give in...

Find, instead, the people singing your song and join them, at the top of your voice. In the same way that you need them, they need you, and together, you'll sing something beautiful!