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Conductor Gets All Aboard!Recently I had the opportunity to lead an orchestra. It's an experience I recommend to all. Admittedly, I had my doubts:
Follow My LeadI did look foolish — but somewhat by design. My orchestra was an audience whom I was training to step into their own leadership. And follow my amusing lead each guest conductor did...magnificently. (Some joked I was an easy act to follow. My mission had been accomplished.) While a soundtrack played in the background I passed the baton to a random attendee and took the seat of my surprised successor then took a short stint as leader. Each subsequent conductor's seat was then filled by the previous conductor at their whim. And to my satisfaction the audience responded to each conductor. Their styles varied yet the audience caught on to each. They clapped, vamped and even soloed.
During our debrief it became clear we learned a great deal about leadership through this symphony ice-breaker:
Each guest conductor remarked upon how different the view was from in front of the audience. Conducting felt differently than they imagined it while sitting down. Upon returning to their seats after conducting, conductors also better appreciated the role, risk and responsibility of each who led that day. Unconscious Trumps Self-Conscious Each "leader" agreed that they performed best when they let go of concerns about how they looked while leading. When their focus shifted to results and bringing out the best in others everything else fell into place.
Each leader learned from those before and after them, and recognized that as the music changed, so too did the role of each leader.
When the time comes to lead may you conduct your musicians as a conductor leads the symphony. Be brave and expressive and you’ll hear the bravos and bravas of your devotees.
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