I went to a concert this weekend—a small venue, a six-piece band, and one stand-up bass. Normally, I don’t give the bass player much thought. My attention is usually on the lead singer, the drummer, or the guitarist tearing through a solo. The bass? It’s just there, filling in the gaps.
At least, that’s what I thought.
But this time, something different happened. Somewhere in the middle of the set, I caught myself really listening to the bass. This guy wasn’t just keeping time but shaping the entire performance. Every note he played gave the music its foundation, rhythm, and flow. The band leaned on him, even if most people in the crowd weren’t paying attention.
I realized something: the bass wasn’t in the background at all—I had just never been paying attention.
And that got me thinking about disruption.
Disruption shakes things up. It forces new ideas, big risks, and bold decisions. But it also brings uncertainty, confusion, and resistance. In times of change, the people who keep us grounded are just as important as those pushing us forward.
Think about the bass players on your team or in your family. They might not be the ones leading the charge, but they:
And the thing about bass players? You don’t always notice them until they’re gone. That’s when things start feeling scattered and disconnected—like a song without a backbone.
Find the bass player in your team, family, or friend group—the one who keeps things moving in the right direction but might not always get the credit. Tell them you see them. Acknowledge what they do. It might be as simple as a quick message or a conversation over coffee, but it’ll matter.
And if you realize you need to be more of a bass player for the people around you? Step into the role. Keep the rhythm steady. Help others navigate change without losing sight of what really matters.
Because in times of disruption, we need both the solos and the steady rhythm. One without the other is just noise.
Make it a great day!
-Patrick
P.S. I co-authored Disrupt Everything with James Patterson (yes, that James Patterson). It hits shelves everywhere on September 29, 2025, but we’ve shaken things up—advance copies will be available for conferences and company events starting March 1. Want to bring the message of positive disruption to your team? Submit a contact form on my speaking website.
