Are you a Mozart or a Beethoven?
Mozarts tend to talk incessantly and lean toward prolific, much like Mozart himself who wrote 50 symphonies and countless fugues. If you find yourself spinning stories for your friends with ease, you're probably a Mozart.
Beethoven's tend to speak much less but with a focus on quality. Beethoven himself was perfectionistic and obsessive, only completing 9 symphonies. If you tend to think things thru before you speak, making sure you only present the best possible idea, you're likely a Beethoven.
It's easy to get down on ourselves for not speaking up enough, or for running on with the conversation a bit too much. But these are not necessarily problems. They're simply a different set of strengths.
For a Mozart, talking or writing can feel like freedom itself, an escape into a different, better world. You can hear this joy even in his music, so light and airy, like a tea party at the chateau.
Beethovens tend toward the quiet side and are more likely perfectionistic, maybe even obsessive. They prefer not to speak until they have the idea polished to a perfect gleam. And this obsession runs through Beethoven's music, like fire belching from the underbelly of a diamond cave.
Mozarts are likely to run the conversation, scattering their gems among countless sentences. Beethoven's speak much less, but with more consistent quality.
The thing is, both are necessary. When it comes time for strategic planning, or building a consistent vision for your organization (or your family), you must find one vision and make sure it's the right vision. You want it to be perfect the first time around. You need a Beethoven.
But for blog updates, to keep the twitter feed full, or to push conversation forward at an awkward party, you need a Mozart, someone ready to keep the words ripping.
Are you a Mozart? Maybe a Beethoven? Someplace in between perhaps? Whichever way you find yourself leaning, know that both have incredible value. You'll do best when you stick with your strengths. So own it. Be it. Find people who can balance you out. Because both are critical to your organization and our world.
Thank you for taking time to lean into your strengths. Can't wait to hear what you've got to say. We need your ideas to fly.