Leadership Lessons From... a Conductor

The conductor-orchestra relationship is the most evolved form of teamwork. Discover ways to improve your leadership from a top symphony conductor.

Key Takeaways: leadership lessons from an orchestra conductor

• A great leader is a great listener. Being loud is a sign of insecurity. Listen to understand and empower.
• Inclusion isn't a tick-box exercise. Diversity is a true strength; it's not just about "doing the right thing."
• Flexibility is essential. A rigid approach won't get the best from your people and can undermine results.
• Leaders are "conduits." A conductor is a conduit for musicians to give their best performance for an audience. A leader's job is the same for their team.

Let's Act: lead like a conductor

Charles said, "The listening is more powerful than the participating." When you truly listen, you can lead with more authenticity and engender trust and motivation.

So make this commitment today:

• "I will listen more."

Perhaps you could let someone else lead the team meeting. Maybe commit to speaking second or third in meetings. Or you could increase the frequency of your one-on-ones to get a better sense of what your people are thinking and feeling.

Explore these Mindtools resources on listening to get you started:

• Quiz: How Good Are Your Listening Skills?
• Article: Active Listening
• Infographic: Listening Skills
• Skill Bite: Active-Empathic Listening