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Leaders vs. Conductors

leaders vs conductors

We often see a metaphor in business life: you can easily relate to the role of a conductor who is responsible for the orchestration of different musical instruments, the full music program and the great sounding of the composer’s art. The concert hall is the office and the different types of instrument groups are the the departments of a corporation. What business leadership and music orchestration do have in common?

One of the recent readings Bedtime Stories For Managers from Henry Minzberg a veteran thought leader on management and leadership development from Canada really made me think. The book is structured from short stories, so you can really read them like bedtime stories. One of my favourite parts described a metaphore of leaders ac conductors, comparing leadership to the work of an orchestra conductor.

Leaders and conductors

I particularly liked the 3 types of conductor type definitions:

a.) The godfather of management consulting,  Peter Drucker created the followinf definition: The manager is a conductor of the orchestra, defining the orchestration of the musicians into a great harmony. He has the composer’s score in front of him, the orchestra has to play from it, he is only the interpreter.

b.) Sune Carlsson – a Swedish economist: the manager is rather like a puppet from a puppet show – he is dragged by other  – stakeholders, higher management, customer and other interest groups –  to initiate certain forms of behaviours to attract the music played to the audience.

c.) The third model is from an advisor for NASA and professor on MIT – Leonard Sayles’s definition:  the conductor of a company is a person who is responsible for the harmony of the orchestra – but each musician struggles with private issues and problems, the stage hands are pulling the music sheet stands during the performance and the audience is complaining about the temperature of the music hall, as its alternating from freezing to sauna. On top of that the sponsor of the event is insisting on irrational changes of the program.

Which one do you like the most? The author used this game with many groups of managers. The results are always the same. After each description he asked his audience, a few hands might go up for the first and a few more for the second, but when reading the third, all the hands go up!

Managers are like orchestra conductors, all right, but away from performance, to the everyday grind. Beware of metaphors that glorify. 

Lead like a Maestro

So, what are some leadership tips which we can learn from an orchestra conductor? 

1) Great conductors always start with a musical score and a clear musical “vision” of how it should sound. Do you have a clear vision of your end goal? Do you have a plan (musical score) that will help you achieve your vision? 

2.) Practice makes perfect – even in business. The best concerts are well rehearsed no matter how great the conductor is. Are you practising your leadership? Or do you assume that you will automatically produce great leadership ‘music’ without practice?

3.) Great conductors get the best out of their people at the right time. They ensure their musicians feel significant, accepted and secure. A conductor needs his/her musicians. Likewise, a leader needs his/her followers and needs to take time to develop his/her followership.

4.) Great conductors lead with their hearts and are passionate about their work. Are you passionate about the vision and mission of your organisation? Do you lead with passion and conviction? A leader’s passion is infectious and generally seeps through the organisation.

Self awareness

5.) Great conductors are aware of their gestures and impact. They have to be precise or their musicians will not be able to follow. Everything done is intentional.

6.) Great conductors share the spotlight. When the concert is over, and the audience is clapping, the conductor turns to the audience and takes a bow. Great conductors immediately turn to their orchestra, inviting them to take the limelight. Without the orchestra, the conductor is nothing. Do you share your leadership success with your team? Are you a leader that gives credit back to the team?

7.) Great conductors are not super-humans. They don’t do everything. In fact, they delegate everything to others who are better and more skilled. The conductor only appears on stage when it is time for him to lead. Great leaders know when to lead and when to let others lead.

8.) The conductor focuses on his/her task and keeps his/her back to the audience. Great leaders similarly keep their mind’s eye on things they are facing rather than worry about what is being said or done behind them.

9.) The conductor usually stands on a platform and is visible to every member of his/her orchestra. This is to ensure the orchestra stays in alignment. Are you a visible leader who is visible to your employees and your teams? Or are you not spending time with your team and causing misalignment across the business?

Leadership meets talent

10.) Great conductors lead. Most musicians in the orchestra are much more talented than the conductor. They are experts in their musical instruments. They look to their conductor not for technical advice but for leadership. The same happens in organisations. Most leaders are not functional or technical experts. Employees look up to them for leadership. Leaders need to inspire, create excitement, have a clear vision and lead.

leadership vs conductor

The leader of a team just have been promoted from team member to a new manager: you might face several challenges regarding your new position, tasks and your relationships. Your managers are expecting smooth and successful leadership transition, but you are full of fears. Your company might invest in sending you to some management courses, but interactivity is missing as you don’t have an opportunity
to share your concerns with any trainer. Please feel free to book a free session with me and join our Leaderhip Transition coaching program.

Sources:Bedtime Stories For Managers from Henry Minzberghttps://www.leaderonomics.com/

 

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