Soft Skills From
The Music Industry

In a past life, a.k.a. my 20s, I primarily worked as an audio engineer in post-production and live events (at Woodward Theater, Memorial Hall, Fountain Square and more). I don’t always talk about this in professional spaces because it can confuse the narrative of who I am and what I offer. But I do believe I learned valuable professional and life skills through those experiences.

I also had the opportunity to work with many renowned artists whose music I respected, including The Mountain Goats, Guided by Voices, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Béla Fleck, Alison Krauss, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, 10,000 Maniacs, Al Di Meola, Deerhoof, Roomful of Teeth and many smaller bands you’ve probably never heard of.

Here are a few things that stuck with me long after I left that career behind.

1. Learn names quickly, and use them.

This may sound obvious, but it can be difficult in practice – especially if you are suddenly working closely with six people you have never met before.

Learning someone’s name is a meaningful sign of respect.

When you’re suddenly thrust into a professional partnership with someone, it builds invaluable trust when you learn who they are as a person, and not just their job title. People notice the difference immediately.

2. Work hard, even when it goes unseen.

Sometimes the best work is indicated by no one noticing it at all.

Good live audio often means nobody is thinking about the audio. A good mix coincides with a more effortless sense of the present moment and a state of flow for everyone in the room. The event just works, the transitions feel natural, and nothing distracts from the emotional experience of the audience.