Creativity Isn’t Just for Songwriters

Most people don’t expect to hear “songwriting” and “quality assurance” in the same sentence. But for me, they’ve always been connected. Before I was leading a precision-focused company with clients in high-stakes industries, I was writing songs in small-town Wisconsin, playing guitar, and dreaming about Nashville. Music taught me how to listen closely, stay flexible, and connect with people. That same creative mindset has quietly shaped the way I lead North Valley Precision today.

In business—especially in fields like quality assurance—people often assume everything has to be technical, rigid, and by-the-book. And yes, processes matter. But behind every process is a person. Behind every metric is a moment where someone made a choice to care more, to dig deeper, to do better. That drive comes from culture, and culture is built by creativity. The same creativity I learned chasing melodies is what I bring into the shop floor every day.

Listening Is a Leadership Superpower

Songwriting taught me one of the most underrated skills in leadership: listening. To write a good song, you have to really hear what’s happening around you—conversations, emotions, little details others miss. That skill translates directly to leading a team. At North Valley Precision, we have some of the most talented engineers, testers, and operators in the business. But their ideas only matter if I’m paying attention.

I make it a point to ask questions, not just give answers. I spend time on the floor, talking with team members, learning what’s working and what’s getting in their way. I listen to our clients too—really listen. Not just to what they’re asking for, but what they actually need. Creativity isn’t always about invention. Sometimes it’s about noticing a need before it’s spoken and responding with something unexpected but valuable.

That mindset has helped us improve processes, streamline communication, and even shift our strategic direction at times. It’s amazing what opens up when you treat leadership like listening, not commanding.

Problem-Solving Is a Creative Act

Every business hits roadblocks. We’ve had them, especially as we’ve scaled North Valley Precision. A client suddenly needs more volume with tighter timelines. A new hire isn’t fitting the way we hoped. A supplier drops the ball. These things happen. What defines us is how we respond.

Some people think creativity is reserved for “the creatives.” But to me, problem-solving is one of the most important creative acts in any business. Whether it’s designing a new workflow, adapting to a client’s custom request, or building out our training program—every one of those challenges required us to think differently.

I often tell my team that creativity is about being resourceful under pressure. When I was younger and broke, trying to make music with whatever gear I had lying around, I learned how to do more with less. That same scrappy mentality is what helps us stay lean and effective today. We don’t throw money at problems—we think through them, together, and find new ways to get results without losing quality.

Leading with Heart (Not Just Data)

Running a QA business means living in a world full of metrics. Error rates, cycle times, defect detection efficiency—these numbers matter, and we track them closely. But they’re only part of the story. What I’ve learned—especially from my background in music—is that heart matters just as much.

You can have all the data in the world, but if your team doesn’t feel connected to the mission, they won’t give you their best. That’s why I lead with vulnerability. I share stories about where I came from. I talk about the times I’ve failed. I try to create space where people feel like they can show up as their full selves.

In music, the most powerful songs are the honest ones. In business, I think it’s the same. When your team believes in what you’re building—and feels safe to bring their full creativity to the table—you get better results. You get innovation. You get loyalty. That’s the culture we’re building here.

Creativity Is a Strategic Weapon

At North Valley Precision, we’re competing in a space where accuracy, dependability, and speed are the baseline. To really stand out, you need more. I believe creativity gives us that edge. It helps us build relationships, not just contracts. It allows us to innovate in ways that other companies might overlook. It keeps our work human, even in a highly technical world.

This doesn’t mean we abandon structure—far from it. Our systems are tight, our standards are high, and our expectations are clear. But within that structure, we leave room for ideas. For rethinking how things are done. For giving our team the freedom to ask, “What if we tried it this way instead?” That spirit—that spark—is what sets us apart.

From Chords to Culture

When I think back to those early years writing songs, I had no idea they’d help shape the way I’d run a company. But the parallels are everywhere. Listening deeply. Telling stories. Building something from nothing. Inspiring people to move together in rhythm toward a shared goal. That’s what songwriting taught me. That’s what leadership looks like.

So whether I’m in a client meeting, reviewing a QA strategy, or walking the production floor, that creative foundation is always with me. It reminds me to stay curious. To stay connected. And to never forget that sometimes, the best ideas don’t come from a spreadsheet—they come from a conversation, a late-night thought, or a fresh look at an old problem.

Creativity isn’t a side project. It’s the core of how I lead. And I believe it’s the reason we’re not just growing—we’re thriving.