Have you ever seen a marching band, where the leader carries a baton and goes, “Left. Left. Left. Right. Left.” and everyone in the band follows along in perfect rhythm, one foot after the other, completely in sync? I used to be a part of one of those marching bands, and I would often repeat the “Left. Right. Left.” in my head along with the leader. It kept me in line with everyone else, especially when I was also playing this huge bass drum pressed against my stomach at the same time. I liked the commands because they helped me to just go with it and not have to think. It’s the same reason people tend to gravitate toward songs that have specific dance moves attached to them, like the Macarena, the Hammer Dance, or even Gangnam Style. They like to let others do the work, and they sit back and enjoy the ride, but without those people who do the work, no marching, or dancing, would get done. It’s the glory of the call and response. Some are callers, and others are responders.
I’m usually a caller. I know, you’re probably shocked at that piece of news. I’m generally the person who starts most conversations, and if there is a lull I like to fill it with something. Some people would call me a leader, and I am that, but a caller is even more than that. A caller is the idea person, not just the one who barks out commands, the one who thinks ahead and knows that something will be needed and when. And it’s an innate sense, too. You can’t be taught to be a caller, and it’s not easy, but it’s fulfilling when a group you’re a part of needs to get something done efficiently and/or creatively. Responders also have a big job, too, though, to follow the instructions of the caller, to put those ideas into action, because without them whatever the grand task is doesn’t get done. With no dancers, there is no dance.
So, I know when to be a responder, when to shelve my creativity in favor of the group, when another caller is present who has that charisma to get something done. That’s the problem with a lot of callers; they don’t know when to avoid friction by responding instead. Type A personalities tend to be callers, so that makes a lot of sense. We don’t generally like to give up control when we’re used to always being in control, but for the good of the group we have to on occasion. And that’s okay, but never give up control to a responder who’s masquerading as a caller. It can be tricky to recognize the real deal when we see it, but one easy way to tell is to look at what everyone else is doing. If they’re following along then you have a legitimate caller in front of you, but if they’re hemming and hawing, take a step forward and assume the position. You’re the only caller in that room.
Of course, this works for more than just trying to get a task accomplished. It can be beneficial in social situations as well. I recall when I first started the job at Target and we were setting up the store to get ready for opening day, which was still a month away. Every day we would go in and work in groups to get certain sections set up. We came from all over, and none of us knew each other from Moe or Larry, but we were all thrown together. For the first couple of days there was absolute silence while we worked, and the work went slowly, which makes sense. They were all responders there, I realized by day two. So, I began calling. On day three I started a game for us to play, a competition to keep us motivated, and to help us learn about each other. Before you knew it, we were all working like a well-oiled machine, talking to pass the time, and enjoying each other’s company, something that wouldn’t have happened without the call and response.
It’s funny how most things in life can be traced back to that most basic of ideas, but there are so many people out there looking for direction. I will admit that sometimes I need to be a responder because I’m not an expert in so many areas. And that’s the key. Know when you should take a step back and let the group absorb you as one of their own. Responders are just as necessary as callers, and life would be dull if we didn’t have the give and take. I find myself appreciating that more and more every day.
“Left. Left. Left. Right. Left.”
Sam
Sam's Online Journal 