Becoming Multidimensional
I’m a huge advocate for multidimensionalism — meaning that we as humans are capable of exploring different dimensions of ourselves and are capable of building competency in more than one area of focus. I believe that we have an obligation to ourselves, our families, and society to continuously press on the boundaries of what we’re capable of and to continually hone the skills and competencies that will help us grow into the next best version of ourselves.
Speaking of my own situation, I’m an author, former CEO, thought leader, entrepreneur, podcaster, CFA Charterholder, musician, philanthropist, real estate developer, teacher, boat captain, biker, farmer, father, husband, mentor, and friend. My level of expertise in each of these dimensions of my life varies, but I work to continuously improve in each one. The important thing to note is that this list helps define who I am in my current state and influences how I ‘show up’ to others in both work and play.
I believe in bringing more of one's “whole or best self” to work. I believe that a diversity of voices and lived experiences leads to a richer tapestry of potential solutions to business challenges and ultimately, better outcomes. Conversely, I believe that heavy conformance to preconceived norms and blindly following overpowering voices stifles creativity and leads to the adoption of a fixed, unyielding mindset.
What this means practically is that your accumulated experiences and interests that lie outside of direct work responsibilities can have a profound, positive impact on your performance on the job. Hence, contrary to the “narrow your focus, get really good at doing one thing” advice that some career coaches provide, being multifaceted pays workplace dividends.
Since 2004, I’ve been building my multidimensionalism muscles through a personal investment in music. I’m a vocalist and guitar player in a rock band called The Remainders. We perform to large festival audiences during the summer months and are releasing a full-length LP of original music later this summer. At 60, I’m at or near the top of my game musically and am experiencing a burst of creativity that rivals other such bursts I’ve experienced during my career.
My musical exploits are not a distraction to the vision and goals I have for the future of my current and past business exploits. Being multidimensional is a feature of who I am as a businessperson, not a bug.
Why Invest in the Multidimensional You?
Honing my musical chops and becoming more multidimensional has benefited me in the following areas:
Brain Health: Research shows that music engages different parts of your brain and encourages new connections within the brain. This helps improve memory and attention spans. A healthy brain is essential for a long, fruitful career. Personally, I’m prone to depressive episodes and my investment in music has dramatically reduced the frequency and severity of those episodes.
Creativity: Investing in music has definitely improved my overall level of creativity - especially playing music with other humans. As the number of instruments increases, so do the possible combinations of sounds and outcomes. Experimentation and exploration become more natural/normal and I find it’s easier for me to spot when I’m stuck in a rut, “doing what I’ve always done.”
Social Skills: I’m an introvert by nature and it’s been an absolute blessing to be a member of a group and get to know people I normally wouldn’t interact with. Performing live in front of audiences has forced me to test the limits of my introversion and has helped me navigate the extroverted world more effectively.
Storytelling: A musical performance is the ultimate storytelling experience and storytelling is a critical, in-demand business skill. I find I’m able to construct more efficient arguments and tell the same story in multiple ways through multiple modalities to ensure a message is effectively conveyed.
Teamwork: There’s a huge difference between a band where the musicians are playing their individual parts and a band that’s playing together. To truly play together, bandmates must understand the nuances of how other members process information and understand their strengths/weaknesses. In business, I’ve been on teams where folks are just going through the motions and playing their individual parts. I’ve also been on teams that are truly playing together. There’s a night and day difference between the two when it comes to performance and outcomes.
Persistence: Reaching the level of ‘proficiency’ or above with a musical instrument takes time and effort. It is extremely rare for someone to pick up an instrument and have immediate success. Getting more people to understand that skill building, proficiency, and excellence take time will help reduce the current epidemic of instant-gratification.
Mental Agility: By exposing myself to new music - especially different genres - I find that I’m more receptive to different opinions and perspectives in other areas of my life. Music fuels a growth mindset and minimizes the likelihood of backsliding into a fixed mindset.
Please note that I’ve chosen music as the primary tool to expand my horizons and bring more of my unique self into the world of work. You might choose an athletic pursuit, acting, creative writing, videography, or underwater basket weaving. What you choose should fit with your personality, natural abilities, and preferences, but the most important thing is to make a choice and begin investing in your own multidimensionality journey.
To learn more about my journey of multidimensionalism, pick up a copy of my first book, Balancing Act and/or visit The Remainders on Facebook and YouTube. Enjoy!
Andy
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References:
https://blog.capterra.com/7-studies-that-prove-the-value-of-diversity-in-the-workplace/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/keep-your-brain-young-with-music
