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 performersSet the tempoExecute clear preparations and beatsListen 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:

DirectingCoachingSupportingDelegating

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2013/09/what-is-leadership

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 roleConfidence and integrity Adherence to principles of fairness and sensitivity in all matters pertaining to personnelAbility 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_great-con

ductors?language=en• www.forbes.com/sites/shelliekarabell/

2015/01/10/leadership-and-the-art-of-orchestra-conducting

• http://mylinkage.com/blog/5-leadership-lessons-from-an -orchestra-conductor/

• http://www.brw.com.au/p/leadership/six_things_leaders_can_learn_from_LOnkeyBz2EIBbHr4bxe8L

• http://michaelhyatt.com/8-leadership-lessons-from-a-symphony-conductor.html

Questions?

• ‘The great leaders are like the best conductors-they reach beyond to notes to reach the magic in the players’-Blaine Lee

• Thank you