Symphony Chairs, Corner Offices, and the Great Workplace Scramble

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INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.

Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, welcomed Benjamin “BENCASSO” Barnes to provide another commentary in a series.

The Benjamin “BENCASSO” Barnes Commentaries

In this episode of “The Coaches Corner,” Benjamin Barnes humorously explores the competitive dynamics found in different work environments—whether it’s the office, a symphony orchestra, a sports team, or an art and design studio. From the jostling for corner offices to fighting for the first chair in the violin section, and from maneuvering for a quarterback position to winning the lead design role, the workplace is always a battlefield. Barnes pokes fun at the cultural stereotypes and friendly rivalries that drive people to strive for the coveted top spots.

 

We all know the drill. Whether you’re sitting in an office cubicle, standing in the second violin section of a symphony, or sweating it out at football practice, one thing’s for sure: competition never ends. And let’s face it, in some ways, workplaces—be they corporate boardrooms or orchestras—are more alike than you’d think. Just ask anyone who’s fought for the corner office, the quarterback position, or, heaven forbid, the first chair in the symphony. The stakes are real!

In the office world, it’s all about *location, location, location*. Forget job titles—what really matters is the view from your window (assuming you have one). In fact, when a corner office opens up, it’s like watching a wildlife documentary. The normally docile worker-bee morphs into a high-flying predator, swooping in with PowerPoint presentations that could sell sand in the Sahara. “Did you see Jerry from accounting? He’s been trying to land that spot for *years*,” whispers someone from HR, looking nervously toward the empty corner. “He once helped Susan redesign the entire expense report system just to get in her good books. She has the office next door, you know.”

But office politics pale in comparison to the gladiator-style warfare that takes place in a symphony orchestra. Talk about *cutthroat*. Everyone’s gunning for first chair, and you can bet those smiles you see at rehearsals are faker than a canned laugh track. “The first chair violinist is out sick,” whispers the second chair, polishing his bow with a gleam in his eye. “This is my *moment*.” The conductor, of course, is like the team coach, trying to keep things professional while pretending not to notice the sabotage happening in the background—missing sheet music, mysteriously out-of-tune strings, and broken bows.

It’s no different on a sports team. Everyone’s jockeying for the glory positions—quarterback, point guard, striker. You’ve got your star player who has been unofficially “training” (read: psychologically tormenting) the rookie, just to remind them who’s boss. “You think you’re gonna take my position? Good luck, kid,” says the veteran, with all the warmth of a crocodile. Then, there’s the bench, which is basically the workplace version of the *copy room*. You know it exists, but no one really wants to spend time there unless they have no other choice.

Now let’s step into the art and design studio. You might think that a bunch of creatives sitting around sketching ideas for the next big campaign would be less competitive. Oh, no. Here, it’s all about who gets to pitch to the client, and let’s just say, not everyone is playing by the same rules. “This concept is really *avant-garde*,” someone says, slowly edging their portfolio over yours during a meeting. “You should totally go with my idea. It’s fresh, it’s edgy, it’s… did I mention I took a watercolor class in France?”

Workplace dynamics—whether in offices, sports, symphonies, or art studios—always involve a mad dash for the best spots.

Whether you’re aiming for that cushy corner office, first chair violin, or lead designer role, remember: it’s not personal, it’s just… survival of the fittest, workplace edition.

 

 

Benjamin Barnes is a multifaceted artist, musician, and entrepreneur. As the founder of Bencasso LLC and Culture Scholar Corporation, he brings expertise in music, art, and education to the forefront. Barnes has performed with legendary artists, led creative enterprises, and shared practical advice with fellow creatives through his segment on the nationally syndicated podcast, “The Price of Business.” His experiences, from rockstar to CEO, inform his humor-filled insights into workplace dynamics.

Song: “She Curses Like a Sailor” Year of the Dog album by Benjamin David Barnes aka Bencasso

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/6MiTA1jQksbtXfjsAQaMGz?

si=8cfe94c96e8745a0&nd=1&dlsi=89729e4652124610 

Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/album/play-fetch/1608707576? i=1608707578

Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09S5V1ZYY?

marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_4UdL8iX 948J3eLJk9OSppAFDc&trackAsin=B09S5HQ8M7

Artwork “Skeletonichi Ghost of Shinichi Fearsome Electric Violin

Teacher and Creator of the “Shinichi Method tm”

Artworks Available at Bencasso.org

 

 

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