When differences become strengths – group-work-lessons from a band

New podcast

A podcast dialogue between musicians Malthe, Felix and Jonas, CBS student Nadia Winther Seiding, and Pernille Steen Pedersen, stress researcher and Assistant Professor at CBS.

In this podcast we talk to Malthe, Felix and Jonas of the Danish electro-pop band Elsked about how they manage to collaborate in the complex context of being both friends, artistic partners and business colleagues. We compare their experiences to what it is like to work in student groups and draw parallels and lessons from how they as a band consciously work with differences in emotion, energy, ambition and goals.

The boys share how they use the analogy of “handing out the keys” to different aspects of their project as a way of acknowledging both sides when some feel burned out while others strive for more. We also discuss the importance of actively looking to understand each other’s personal, emotional and practical insecurities and mechanisms in order to build good working relationships. For Elsked, conflict provides a potential for growth because they continuously work with creating room and understanding for each other’s differences.

In a fitting closing remark, Nadia notes: “It is really cool what – despite your differences – you have achieved together. That brings hope.”

Length: 31:36
Language: Danish
Key words: managing differences, collaboration, negotiation, band management, student group work, relational coordination