I attended a jazz concert last night featuring a trio. It was to consist of a pianist, a drummer and a bassist.
The show started with the pianist and drummer in their places and an empty space on stage for the bass.
After the third number an audience member shouted an inquiry as to the bassist’s whereabouts. (We were all wondering this). The lead pianist skirted the issue without addressing it directly. Those of us in the audience were left wondering about the bassist for the entire first set.
A leader’s role is to be able to dance in the moment and deal with change. As a leader, it is best to address an issue directly, rather than leave others wondering. In silence, people make things up.
It would have been preferable to acknowledge that the trio was now a duo and that the bassist was delayed en route. Instead, the audience members were in the dark and left wondering.
Acknowledging a situation, being direct and filling in the blanks is more effective than ignoring it or silence. Improv is key to both jazz and leadership.