How to use a leadership tuning fork to drive clarity

Scott Cochrane March 3, 2025

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As a leader, one of the most under-rated instruments in your toolbox is a simple tuning fork.

You might not carry the actual instrument with you, but I've learned that watching for "tuning fork moments" can be a crucial leadership tool.

I saw this play out in conversation with a teammate who didn't seem to understand the direction our organization was heading. Sensing his confusion, I sat him down one day and helped him get back on track.

When I finished he said, "Scott, that was a tuning-fork moment."

I loved that term, and it surfaced some key leadership takeaways.

An actual tuning fork is a simple tool used as a standard of pitch to tune musical instruments. And like a piano tuner, a leader's job is to chime the tuning fork to make sure the team is operating with complete clarity.

There are 4 key components of tuning-fork leadership:

1. A "sixth sense" ability to perceive misalignment

As a leader you must be constantly listening and watching for indications of very subtle mission drift among your team.

2. A patient, listening posture

Leaders must follow up a hunch about mission drift with a casual, inquisitive conversation. The job is to confirm, or dispel, the notion that a teammate has drifted off course. Such a conversation must be safe and unthreatening.

3. An environment of affirmation

If a teammate has drifted, chances are they are only off-base by 10%. Affirm the 90% they are getting right.

4. A clear ringing of the tuning fork

Now, you're ready to ring the fork. This involves unflinchingly pointing out where the drift has taken place, and ensuring your teammate's understanding is back on pitch.

Tuning-fork leadership is an ongoing, never-ending process. Mission drift is inevitable in every organization. And just when you think you've brought everyone back into alignment it will be time to re-clarify things for someone else on the team.

So ask yourself these questions:

• Is everyone in the organization clear on our overall direction?
• Is everyone clear on our highest present priorities?
• Does everyone see how their contribution fits into the big picture?

If the answers reveal any fuzziness it could be time for clarifying conversations.

Keep your tuning fork handy…

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Scott Cochrane serves on the executive team for the Willow Creek Association, as Vice President, International Ministries. He was born and raised in Canada, where he became connected to the Willow Creek Association, first as a marketing director and later as the ministry’s Chief Operating Officer. Following a five-year stint as Executive Pastor of a large church, Scott returned to Willow Creek Canada in 2009 as Executive Director, and in 2012 relocated to Illinois to take up his current post with the Willow Creek Association. Learn More »

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