What do leaders need to flourish?
It may seem counter-intuitive, but leaders need time away from the intensity of work. They need time to actually think about their leadership and to hear other perspectives and thoughts on similar issues in the candid company of leaders in a similar position.
Drum is often the only space each month busy leaders have away from the pace of business — away from the 'doing' or tasks. We know this time helps executives build confidence in their instincts which leads to stronger, healthier decision-making.
There are two types of Drums
Forget fixing or tasks, Drum is a space to think.
Drum is a new way to meet and get things done.
Drum is different because it builds on the power in the room and is self-sustaining. With minimal materials, leaders work with a framework of meeting that brings out their best. The facilitator's job is to skill the group to have the critical conversations and thinks differently about their work and leadership. With each meeting, the facilitator moves their chair closer and closer to the door until they're gone entirely by meeting six.
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It's a little like passing your driving test; you'll know the fundamentals, but you'll no longer need the instructor anymore. Many Drums that were created years ago still meet to this very day unfacilitated. Because they want to. That's a pretty powerful testimonial for the usefulness of Drums.
Why is Drum good for business?
Unbiased feedback is often lacking for those at close to the top of the company pyramid. Drum allows leaders to step back and assess their own role, as well as that of other leaders in the business.
Meetings are an opportunity for two-way feedback on how they handle difficult situations with grace under pressure and often provide much-needed perspective.
Powerful meeting skills
Stronger ideas
'Inside' information
Lasting reliable network
Grow decision-making ability
Provides perspective
One more time, for those at the back...
How is Drum different?
There’s no workshopping, materials, outcomes, or KPIs. You can’t be put on a Drum, there’s no homework, content or models. It’s about the connection of the participants, their openness in the space, working the meeting framework to support each other to fresh thinking and stronger leadership.
A crucial element is the natural vulnerability of the participants. Plus, the facilitator works to become entirely irrelevant, not needed at all; they have no power. Drums belong to the participants.
“DRUM was a framework that managed to achieve where, in my mind, other frameworks failed - and that was to bring out the human in us, to remind us about the magic of sharing, truly listening, challenging each other hard with positive intent.”
Pete Baily
Co-founder, The Kairos Project
“I’m with people that you can feel that one day might change the world, if not some lives If you don’t talk to people you trust, you can feel completely alone at the top and struggle.
The level of connection you make in a smaller group and over a longer period of time is quite extraordinary. Being guided to be self-sustaining, coaching and thinking with each other was really powerful.”
Lydia Fairfax
Head of Commercial Partnerships, EMEA and Commercial Development, UK, Warner Bros Discovery
“What was also very refreshing was that, until our Drum, I don’t feel like there was ever a place where you could go and discuss those things in an open way.
I think unless you create that environment, it doesn’t really happen, somehow it creates a comfortable and safe environment, and I think that’s what I felt and what stood out to me there.”
Victoria Davies
Central & Eastern Europe, Mediterranean and Central Asia SVP, General Manager, Warner Bros Discovery