Part ten of our monthly series of exerpts from Brian's forthcoming book.

Teamwork       

Your team: pick people who are good at the things you are not, and don't try to do each other's jobs. Make sure everyone understands each other's role, and the goals - both individual and collective. Communicate freely and regularly. Very often, it is our unspoken expectations that get us in the most trouble in relationships.

Another of the litmus tests of trust is to assess how revealing the other person is to you. Be wary of people who are difficult to figure out due to protective or minimal communication. If they are a challenge to get to know, how can you predict or count on their behaviour in a testing situation? Trust is often first extended on speculation as a spiritual loan of sorts, but the most stable form of trust is earned by the exhibition of "trustworthy" behaviours. When the going gets rough (and at some point it surely will) trust will be an absolutely essential component for successfully weathering storms together. There will be many tests of relationship integrity in this business, so be certain that two-way trust is established firmly early in the relationship.

Learn how to turn creative debate into a constructive exercise. Any time creators and their teams work together, there will be debate over methodology and outcome. We should just stop being in denial over this and accept that it will happen! However, the constructive result of debate is often undermined by personal attachment to the issues or personal feelings toward the other, which results in a debate becoming a fight. Although the emotional turmoil of a debate might prevent one from remembering this one thought, here is a little observation that often allows the heat of the moment to cool enough to avoid damage: Say it out loud…"people only argue when they both care". Imagine an argument where one cares and the other does not… wouldn't it be more of a monologue? If you both accept that the argument is fuelled by your mutual care for the outcome, you can recognize that it is an element you both agree on. If you can both stop for a second to consider this point, that simple recognition often turns a debate away from potential destruction and toward a constructive result.

Brian Allen has a wealth of experience in the industry as a songwriter, guitar player, producer, as well as enjoying 15 years heading up the A&R department at Attic Records. He knows what it takes to be a winner in this industry, in mind, spirit and in talent. He has over 10 million in career sales notched on his belt and will be offering up his insight once a month, as a feature contributor to Songbridge, with excerpts from his forthcoming book.
For more info on AMPLUS Productions, contact Brian at brianallen@rogers.com