Music has always been life-giving for me. I’m a musician and have performed since I was young. Over time, I’ve realized that great conductors must also be great leaders. I’ve seen many in action, the good and the bad. And, apart from the technical skills, the leadership skills required for success are the same.

As we’re launching into the New Year, I wonder if a metaphor and framework for thinking about leadership could be useful. So, here’s what I’ve personally observed from successful conductors and choir directors:

1. They are Strong Communicators. They communicate vision. Everyone knows what the theme and repertoire will be for the season. Performers know exactly what pieces they’ll be playing and why.
   
   Secondly, they communicate expectations. Each performer knows their strengths and is challenged to continue developing these. Every performer also knows what one or two things they have to work on for their upcoming pieces.
   
   One of the leading band consultants in Texas, John Benzer, notes that great band conductors “connect both visually and verbally with their members.” In a sense, they are communicating by being present and accounted for.
   
   
2. They Provide Structure and Resources. Each performer has everything she or he needs to perform. They all have their scores and their instruments are in working order. The logistics have also been planned. Rehearsal and performance schedules are all published in advance.
   
   
3. They Encourage Strong Performers. Even top performers want to know when they’re doing a good job. Don’t most of us want to hear this from time to time?
   
   
4.  They Mentor People Who Need Extra Help. This is not considered an inconvenience. It’s part of the job.
   
   
5. They Know How to Lower the Temperature. Challenges and tempers will flare. It’s a given when working with groups, especially groups of high performers. Better conductors have what we like to call a less anxious presence. They possess a calmness and aren’t prone to freaking out (to put it bluntly). In order to do this, as Benzer notes, these leaders are “approachable and available to their members.”
   
   
6. They Hold People Accountable for Performance. If someone isn’t cutting it, they tell them and give them a chance to fix it. If it doesn’t get fixed – they make changes. Ongoing tolerance of poor performers weakens the overall sound of the group.
   
   
7. They Enable Camaraderie: Increasingly, I realize that a group performs better when each person knows something about the others. I’m not really sure why, but when a performer has some familiarity with the other performers in the group, a better sound is created. Strong conductors design opportunities for performers to get to know each other better and have some fun doing it!

None of these actions is left to chance.
These successful musical leaders are
very deliberate about each of these behaviors.

Once all of this is in play, then the work of rehearsing and performing incredible music begins.

Leaders like John Benzer leave legacies. They are instrumental (pardon the pun) in shaping the lives of others in ways that last for years to come.

So, what’s your repertoire in 2025? I look forward to hearing it!