Transcript leadership and the art of conducting

LEADERSHIP AND THE ART
OF CONDUCTING
DISCOVERING THE MAGIC IN
NURSING LEADERSHIP
Melody Jansen van Rensburg
The Orchestral Conductor- A
Metaphor for Leadership
• The conductor conducting the orchestra
can be used as model for team
management.
• Through understanding the working
methods of great conductors you can
learn some ‘basic principles of leadership’
• André Rieu - O Fortuna (Carmina Burana Carl Orff).mp4
What is Orchestral conducting?
• ‘Conducting is the art of directing a
musical performance by way of visible
gestures’
• The primary duties of the conductor are
to:
Unify performers
Set the tempo
Execute clear preparations and beats
Listen carefully-shape the sound of the
ensemble
What is leadership?
• ‘Leadership is a process of social
influence which maximizes the efforts of
others, towards the achievement of a goal’
The primary duties of the leader are to:
Directing
Coaching
Supporting
Delegating
The ‘Maestro’
• There are those who merely ‘manage’ and
there are those who are master leaders who
‘make music’ with their organisations
(Maestro’s)
• Like a conductor a leader is an artist-directing
the actions of others toward a goal
• The ‘Maestro’ must create the ‘magical
moment’. Out of the chaos-create order.
Noise becomes music(magic)
• Create harmony
‘Conduct Becoming’
Qualities of the ‘Conductor’
Ability and willingness to assume creative
leadership role
Confidence and integrity
Adherence to principles of fairness and
sensitivity in all matters pertaining to
personnel
Ability to advance the needs of the
orchestra and community over personal
ego needs
‘Conduct Becoming’
Sound Vision
• The conductor carries the responsibility of
leading the orchestra with one vision
• Once the conductor has a clear
understanding of what he wants, then this
must be communicated to the orchestra
• Real test is in the non-verbal act of
conducting. Every single movement, every
eye contact, every thought and in every
breath-the conductor must embody his/her
vision for the music
‘Conduct Becoming’
Practice makes perfect
• The best concerts are well rehearsed no
matter how great the conductor is.
• Are you practicing your leadership?
• Do you assume that you will automatically
make great ‘music’ without practicing?
‘Conduct Becoming’
•
•
•
•
Recruiting the best players
Great conductors attract great players
Mediocre conductors attract mediocre
players
The very best players want to work for the
best conductors. Like attracts like.
As the conductor needs his musicians, the
leader needs his followers and must take
time to develop his followership.
‘Conduct Becoming’
Visibility
• The conductor stands on a platform –is
visible to every member of the orchestra.
’Podium Presence’-this ensures that the
orchestra stays in alignment
• Are you a visible leader to your team of
employees?
‘Conduct Becoming’
•
•
•
•
Passionate about his work
The conductor is ‘swept up in the music’
He plays with his head and his heart.
You read the passion on his face and
sense it in his movement.
The conductor is fully present and
committed
‘Conduct Becoming’
Focus is on delivering an outstanding
product
• Conductors are aware of the audience but
their focus is on the players and their
performance
• The only time the conductor stops to
acknowledge the audience is before
playing begins and after it is finished.
Other than that he is focused on delivering
an outstanding product
‘Conduct Becoming’
Aware of gestures and impact
• The gestures of the conductor need to be
precise or musicians will not be able to
follow
• All actions are intentional to create the
greatest impact.
• Are you leading with intent?
‘Conduct Becoming’
•
•
•
•
Collaboration
‘Maestros’ know instinctively that ‘none of
us is as smart as all of us’
Collaboration of all players is necessary to
create and execute the ‘perfect rendition’.
No fighting over credit and recompense.
The members work together for the
combined good and mutual benefit of the
whole team.
The leader finds greatness in the group.
‘Conduct Becoming’
Develop talent
• A conductor should have insight into the
value of diversity- difference is helpful,
precious, revered.
• Treat each player as an individual with
unique talent and potential.
• Underscore each persons ‘gifts’, downplay
their vulnerabilities, boost their potencies
and bring out their excellence
‘Conduct Becoming’
Sharing the spotlight
• When the concert is over and the
audience is clapping, the conductor turns
to the audience and takes a bow.
• A good conductor immediately turns to the
orchestra and invites them to stand and
bow as well. He shares the glory with his
colleagues, realising that without them, the
music would not be possible.
Final Notes
• How do you inspire the ‘musicians’ in front
of you?
• Great conductors lead. Most musicians
are more talented than their conductor.
They are experts in their musical
instruments. They look to the conductor for
leadership not technical advise
• The same applies in organisations-leaders
may not be technical experts but
employees look to them for leadership
Final Notes
• ‘The orchestra conductor faces the
ultimate challenge: Creating perfect
harmony without saying a word’
• ‘Everybody wants to express what they
have inside. They know their instruments,
they know how to play their parts, but the
conductor must bring it all together’
Final Notes
• André Rieu live in São Paulo - Ave Maria
by Kimmy Scota.mp4
References
• www.ted.com/talks/itay_lead_like_the_greatconductors?language=en
• www.forbes.com/sites/shelliekarabell/2015/01/1
0/leadership-and-the-art-of-orchestra-conducting
• http://mylinkage.com/blog/5-leadership-lessonsfrom-an -orchestra-conductor/
• http://www.brw.com.au/p/leadership/six_things_l
eaders_can_learn_from_LOnkeyBz2EIBbHr4bx
e8L
• http://michaelhyatt.com/8-leadership-lessonsfrom-a-symphony-conductor.html
Questions?
• ‘The great leaders are like the best conductorsthey reach beyond to notes to reach the magic
in the players’-Blaine Lee
• Thank you