Posted on 20Aug2025
By Jerome Marcelo

If you’ve ever been in a band, run a business, or even organized a neighborhood barbecue, you know one thing:
Success isn’t just about talent, money, or having that one person who can make the best grilled bbq in Saskatchewan.

It’s about values.

Values are like the bassline in a great song—sometimes subtle, but always keeping everything in rhythm. Without them, the music (or mission) falls apart faster than a cheap guitar string in a Canadian winter.

When RMD sat down to visualize our next five years, we could have just focused on gigs, streaming numbers, or social media followers. But we knew something deeper had to drive us—a set of guiding principles that would help us navigate everything from soundcheck meltdowns to life’s curveballs.

And so, we landed on six values that aren’t just words on paper—they’re the foundation for everything we do:

1. Trust & Respect – The Safe Stage

In music, trust isn’t just about lending your bandmate your favorite capo and hoping it comes back. It’s about knowing that when you take a creative risk, your bandmates won’t laugh you off stage (unless it’s meant to be funny).

Respect ensures that everyone feels valued—whether they’re the lead singer, the sound tech, or the person bringing pizza to rehearsals.

In business, the same applies. A team that trusts and respects each other works faster, communicates better, and doesn’t waste energy on politics or drama. In a community, it’s the glue that makes people feel safe to speak up and contribute ideas.

When trust and respect are missing, you don’t just lose efficiency—you lose heart. And without heart, nothing you build will last.

2. Collaboration – Stronger Than a Guitar Solo

You know that one friend who hogs the karaoke mic all night? Yeah… that’s not collaboration.

Real collaboration is about knowing when to step forward and when to step back. It’s about leaders coming together, each bringing their unique strengths, and blending them for a greater purpose. No one’s keeping score. No one’s asking, “What’s in it for me?”

At RMD, collaboration means joining forces with other leaders, businesses, and community members to create something far bigger than what we could do alone. When ideas, talents, and resources come together, new opportunities spark—events get bigger, causes reach farther, and dreams grow stronger. Suddenly, we’re building something none of us could have imagined on our own.

In business, collaboration drives innovation. In community, it turns individual ambitions into a collective mission. It’s what transforms “me” into “we.” Without it, you’re just people standing in the same room—not partners in purpose.

3. Empathy & Support – The Backstage Pass

Ever played a gig while going through something heavy in your personal life? You quickly realize how important it is to have people around who get it.

Empathy is seeing past the surface—it’s understanding when your bassist is quiet because they’re stressed, not because they hate your new song. Support is about stepping in to help, whether that’s offering guidance, sharing resources, or just saying, “You’ve got this.”

In a business, empathy creates a culture where people stay longer and give more of themselves. In a community, it’s what makes people show up for each other during hard times.

For RMD, empathy and support mean that we’re not just bandmates—we’re each other’s safety net.

4. Transparency – No Hidden Chords

Secrets might make for a good mystery novel, but in a band, business, or community? They’re a fast track to misunderstandings and broken trust.

Transparency is like playing music in an open key—everyone knows where the song is going. It means talking openly about challenges, decisions, and expectations.

Transparency is about creating space for real conversations—where honesty isn’t avoided, and even criticisms are welcomed as a way to grow. When we’re transparent, that’s when trust is built and progress begins.

For us, it’s not just about sharing the setlist or the budget—it’s about making sure everyone understands the “why” behind decisions. In business, transparency means letting people see the reasoning, not just the outcome. In communities, it means keeping dialogue open so everyone feels included, valued, and part of the journey.

Transparency might feel uncomfortable sometimes, but it saves you from way bigger headaches later.

5. Plakado – Mastery of Playlist & Musical Chemistry

“Plakado” is our unofficial, very-official RMD word for that state when your playlist is so tight, your musical chemistry is so locked in, that you could play blindfolded and still crush it.

In music, mastery isn’t about perfection—it’s about being so in sync with each other that the music feels effortless. You don’t just play notes; you play moments.

In business, plakado means knowing your product and your market so well you can improvise without losing your rhythm. In a community, it’s about shared culture and flow—where things just work because people are aligned.

Plakado doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of hours, weeks, and years of showing up together.

6. Strong Work Ethic & Dedication – The Endless Encore

There’s a saying in the music world: “Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.”

Talent is great, but consistency is what takes you from “garage band” to “tour bus.” Dedication means showing up to practice even when you’re tired. It’s sticking with the project even when it’s not exciting.

In business, a strong work ethic builds trust with customers and partners. In communities, it’s the follow-through that turns promises into reality.

At RMD, it’s the fuel behind everything—from writing songs to organizing events to recording podcasts.

Why Values Matter in Achieving Goals

So why are we so obsessed with values? Because goals without values are like a song without rhythm—technically possible, but deeply forgettable.

Here’s why they matter:

They guide decisions. When opportunities come up, we check them against our values. If they don’t align, we pass—no matter how shiny they look.

They keep the team together. Disagreements happen. Values keep us from tearing each other apart in the process.

They inspire commitment. When everyone shares the same “why,” it’s easier to push through the “hard” parts.

They build reputation. Fans, customers, and community members notice when you operate with integrity.

They create legacy. Long after the current members, employees, or leaders are gone, values keep the mission alive.

The Fun Part: Living the Values

The best thing about values? They’re not just theory—they’re daily habits.

Trust & Respect: We start and end rehearsals with check-ins—because we’re humans before we’re musicians.

Collaboration: Songwriting sessions are open forums. No idea is too weird. (Okay, maybe some are too weird, but we still try them.)

Empathy & Support: We know each other’s coffee orders. This is not a small thing.

Transparency: We don't have hidden agendas. We are honest and open with each other and our business partners.

Plakado: We rehearse until we can read each other’s musical minds.

Work Ethic & Dedication: We treat every show—whether it’s for five people or five hundred—like it’s the most important one.

Final Chord

Whether you’re in a band, running a business, or leading a community, values are your compass. They don’t just keep you moving—they keep you moving in the right direction.

For RMD, these values aren’t just how we reach our five-year vision—they’re how we make sure the journey there is worth it.

Because in the end, it’s not just about the music, the money, or the milestones.
It’s about the people you share them with, and the principles that keep you in harmony.

Now, excuse us—we’ve got some plakado to work on. 🎸