Embracing Dissonance

The history of music, Western music at least, is the story of growing more and more comfortable with dissonance. Over time, our ability to embrace, appreciate, and dance with this tension has increased.

Listen to a Gregorian chant and then tune in to composition by Ornette Coleman and you'll get a sense of how far we've come in what level of discomfort we're able to tolerate, and even expect, in the music we listen to.

Dissonance is a signal. In music, in life, and in your work, dissonance lets you know that change is about to happen, that this is worth paying attention to, and that it's time to lean in.

Those butterflies you feel. The noise in your head. They arise when you're about to do something different. Something that might even make a difference.

Dissonance isn't something to ignore or shy away from. It's a reminder that the tried and true need to be tweaked. It's an invitation to join in making change happen.

When was the last time you paid attention and leaned into the possibilities promised by dissonance?

Let's keep flying higher together!

Scott Perry, Chief Difference-Maker at C reative on Purpose

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