Lead like conductors
Imagine this: you’re in an auditorium, facing an orchestra. Each instrument on stage produces a different sound, and each person wielding it possesses their own unique skill in producing it. Until the conductor raises their arms, there is nothing but silence.
And then, magic!
A single person, armed with a thin baton, who makes no sound of their own, draws out an unforgettable audiovisual performance from a hundred instrument-brandishing people.
Leading an organization isn’t so different from conducting an orchestra.
Conductors translate their vision into a glorious experience by getting everyone on stage to play their parts in harmony, with the right timing and expression. A good leader guides their team members to a collective goal, while simultaneously encouraging and uplifting each individual person to achieve, in short, a perfect symphony.
There’s a misconception that conductors have it easy. Compared to musicians like, say, the violinist, conductors may look like they have an easier job. Not being one to actually produce the sounds, all a conductor seems to do is wave their hands very dramatically in the air.
But according to Pierre Boulez, a legendary composer-conductor, “Conducting is more difficult than playing a single instrument. You have to know the culture, to know the score, and to project what you want to hear.” Like leadership, it isn’t so much what you know, but how you tie everything together.
Good conductors (and leaders alike):
Have a clear vision of how a musical score should sound.
Lead to get the best out of their people at the right time, and not boss around.
Be an expert listener with hyper self-awareness that their gestures, no matter how small, will create an impact on the group.
Courageously put themselves out on the podium, making themselves visible to everyone.
Put in the hours. The best concerts are well researched and well rehearsed no matter how great the conductor is.
Shine the limelight on the musicians when the audience applauds. Without the orchestra, the conductor is nothing.
I’ll be honest, I wasn't really at peace with my day-to-day work as the Country Manager of my organization. If I wasn’t the one doing the legwork, it felt a little like I wasn't doing anything at all. But putting the role of a conductor in perspective was empowering. It wasn’t my job to make sure I knew how to technically fulfil every role (or to take all the glory), but to guide my team towards that collective goal, and understand that everything I did was to get us to that perfect symphony.
In short, magic. ●