You Don’t Need More Gear
The tool doesn’t make the craftsman.
The best gear is useless without an operator that knows how to use it. You can put an average person in the best , most well equipped kitchen in the world and they will still make average food, but you could put someone like Chef Gordon Ramsey in a below average kitchen and get the most amazing food you’ve ever eaten.
Many churches buy into the lie that simply upgrading equipment will fix all of their problems. Then after the new system goes in they wonder why they continue to have the same issues.
The difference between a great result and an average result isn’t the tools that are used, it’s the person behind them and how well they understand not only the tools they have available, but what the end result is they are trying to create.
So until you have pushed the equipment you have to its very limit, don’t blame the gear.
So you’re probably wondering “How do you get better?”.
Visualize the statue in the marble.
“Ogni blocco di pietra ha una statua dentro di sé ed è compito dello scultore scoprirla” – Michelangelo
Now in English
Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.
In order to know when you have reached a good point, you need to know what it is you’re going for. The audio engineer should already have an idea of what good music sounds like down to the tone of each instrument. The lighting director should know what the emotion is that they want to create and what colors, motions and patterns will help evoke that emotion in others. The video creator should know the story they are trying to tell and visualize the scene, lighting, camera angles, focal length and depth of field that will best serve the story.
Now the question is: “Well how am I supposed to know that?”.
Simple.
Become a student of the craft. Actively study the things you see others do that you like. Ask yourself “What do I specifically like about this?, Why does it move me?” Actively listen to the relationships within a song. When you go to a show, what are they doing with light that moves you. When you watch a movie, show, or even a youtube video, What types of shots and camera work are they doing and why does it move you?
What do we need?
I’ve seen trainings where what is taught is what the button does on the specific piece of equipment in front of you. The problem here is while the trainee knows what the button does, they have no clue when to use it. They have the “what” but not the “why”. Sometimes it even leads to a thought of “since the function is there, I have to use it”
The other things I’ve seen a lot (and I’ve been guilty of this one) from someone with a little bit of experience is picking new equipment based on what they’ve used before rather than looking fully at what their needs are. You need to know what you’re trying to accomplish before picking the best way of doing it.
So, before you spend another penny on new equipment that really only lasts 10-15 years at most, invest in equipping your people with the knowledge and skills to use the tools that are in front of them. You may even find that you don’t need new equipment at all, and the investment you make in your people could have long term kingdom impact outside their current context.
So what does an effective training plan look like?
Effective training plan.
Know the win - before you start, visualize in your mind what the end result will be.
Know best practices - know what types of tools to reach for to get the desired result. Ex: if you’re driving a nail, don’t reach for a screw driver.
Know how to use the specific tool in front of you. - Unfortunately I’ve seen system integrators only do this step. You may know how to get an oven to the perfect temperature, but we are trying to make ice cream.
Review.
You need to know what the end result is you want
How to get to that result
Then finally, which tools you need to get there.
If you’re interested in talking through specific ways to effectively train your team send me a message, I’d love to talk with you.