Today, May 17th, Norway celebrates its Constitution Day with parades, flags, music, and a strong sense of togetherness. Happy Constitution Day – a day filled with community, color, and multi-voiced joy.
And a reminder that the most beautiful achievements are born from collaboration. In working life, just like in a marching band or an orchestra, we need more than just soloists to succeed. We need everyone who is instrumental – both on stage and behind the scenes.
When Success Requires More Than Soloists
Just as a beautiful concert needs more than one talented musician, a successful team needs more than one standout performance. Sometimes it’s the soloists who shine. But without a steady rhythm section, sound engineers, and a tight-knit orchestra, there would be no magic.
The same is true in business.
Great achievements rarely happen in a vacuum.
They happen because someone ensures everything works together..
“Instrumental” – Not Just a Word, But an Attitude
In English, we say someone was instrumental to a project – meaning they were essential, pivotal, indispensable.
In Norwegian, we often translate it simply as “useful,” which is a poor substitute. We simply don’t have a word that carries the same powerful meaning. “Useful” feels flat, “important” feels too big, and “contributor” doesn’t capture the weight of being a silent driving force.
Being instrumental means being part of the whole.
Like the second violinist who creates the harmony.
Like the technician who ensures the lights hit just right.
Like the middle manager who bridges strategy and execution.
Being instrumental is understanding that you don’t need to stand in the spotlight to make a difference.
Greatness Is Created Through Wholeness – Just Ask Pink Floyd
A great example comes from music history: Pink Floyd.
The band understood early on that success wasn’t just about having a frontman and good songs.
They excelled not only musically but also with sound quality and light shows that were far ahead of their time.
Their concerts were known for being fully choreographed experiences, where sound engineers and lighting designers were just as crucial as the musicians themselves.
People came to experience something, not just to listen.
This shows the true power of good collaboration:
When every function plays its role, something far greater than what the eye can see or the ear can hear is created.
When Everyone Gets a Chance to Shine – The Whole Shines Brighter
Workplaces that are good and motivating are also effective. Good workplaces ensure that everyone feels a sense of mastery and meaning – not just the top salesperson or the developer who wrote the most brilliant code, but also those who keep systems running, follow up with customers, clean up messes, and quietly ask, “Do you need help?”
Sometimes it’s the brass section’s turn to shine. Other times the strings take the lead. And sometimes, the magic happens in the pause – in the silence between notes.
It’s not about giving everyone the same amount of attention all the time – but about giving the right space to the right person at the right time.
What Does This Mean in Practice?
For leaders, it’s about lifting your gaze.
Who are the people who always show up but rarely get the recognition they deserve?
When was the last time you acknowledged the efforts of those who make success possible without making noise about it?
It’s also about making the path clear without micromanaging every step. A simple, overarching roadmap can be one of the easiest and most effective tools you can use. And we’re not talking about the typical 70/30 or 80/20 rule here. We’re talking about something that might require just 1% effort but could yield 99% impact.
When people know where they are going, but are given the freedom to find their own way within the framework, you foster ownership, initiative, and better collaboration. A roadmap gives the big picture, allowing teams to develop the details in harmony with one another – like musicians playing from the same score, but each bringing their own expression to the performance.
For employees, it’s about owning your role and knowing that your value isn’t measured by the number of presentations you give, but by the contribution you make to the whole. You don’t have to shine every day – but you need to know that you are part of something that matters.
It’s About More Than Results – It’s About People
People need to be seen for who they are, not just for what they deliver.
When you know your effort matters – even when you’re not in the spotlight – both motivation and loyalty grow.
The best performances thrive in a climate of security, not competition.
When people feel that they are an important part of the whole, they don’t just become “useful” – they become instrumental in creating something greater together.
One of the simplest ways to foster that security is to make the direction clear without micromanaging.
A simple, overarching roadmap can be a powerful tool:
When people know where they are headed and are free to find their way, ownership and initiative flourish.
Want to learn more about creating a good roadmap? I’ve written another article that explains what a roadmap really is, the different types, and how you can use them in projects and business development.
So, What Kind of Workplace Do You Want to Be Part Of?
One where a few people get all the applause?
Or one where everyone knows they are instrumental?
Imagine a work life where everyone feels seen.
Where it’s just as rewarding to be the one adjusting the lights as the one standing in them.
Where we make each other better – because we know that a beautiful concert is never about just one musician alone.
We don’t need more stars.
We need more people who understand that it’s the collaboration that makes us shine.
That’s what being instrumental is all about.
What does “instrumental” mean to you?
I would love to hear your thoughts or experiences in the comments – both the small and big moments that help collaboration and workplace culture thrive.gere.
Happy Constitution Day – from Norway to wherever you are!
