Leaders as Listeners
I read a review of 'Music as Alchemy: Journeys with Great Conductors and Their Orchestras.' It made me think about the role of a leader as Chief Listener.
To highlight a few sections in the review:
In 'Fantasia', Walk Disney's 1940 film of musically inspired animations, each piece begins and ends in the same way, with the silhouetted figure of Leapold Stokowski, a British conductor who died in 1977. He stands alone against a dark red background while the mysterious movement of his hands conjure the music in and out of being. 'Fantasia' was hugely popular, and made a notable contribution to cultivating a wider appreciation of classical music. But it also unwittingly peddled the still pervasive that conductors are, in effect, magicians- sorcerers who single-handedly extract waves of finely variegated sound out of thin air.
Perhaps the role of a conductor is a fitting description for leaders who often work in a directive style, giving specific instructions and listening for immediate feedback.
...The book's strength is in its mix of stories and perspectives, which ably convey the murky process by which orchestras build a bond of mutual trust.
..[Mr Claudio Abbado] is special, the musicians explain, not merely because of his clarity of vision, authoritative analysis or the mysterious energy of his gestures, but rather because of the way he listens. He appears to live the music, inviting them to live it with them.
In what ways can leaders 'live the music'? What would it mean for a Christian leader to 'live the music' and invite others to live it with them? What sounds can we listen for when God's people are living in purpose & harmony?
Players need to believe conductors understand what they are doing, and that their individual efforts make a difference. Conductors, in turn, need to trust their orchestras to do everything possible to make the music happen in the moment. ...the currency of this trust is listening... Hand gestures... are construed less as specific direction than as signs of a kind of ultra-responsive listening, a listening which feeds back into how the players hear each other.
How might rehearsal sessions prepare an orchestra and a conductor to 'make the music happen' in the moment? How can other teams rehearse, train or practice together to be confident that when their big gig comes, they are ready?
Finally, can you think of any specific examples where a leader has demonstrated 'ultra-responsive' listening? Are there any ways you can be a better listener in your spheres of service and leadership?
To highlight a few sections in the review:
In 'Fantasia', Walk Disney's 1940 film of musically inspired animations, each piece begins and ends in the same way, with the silhouetted figure of Leapold Stokowski, a British conductor who died in 1977. He stands alone against a dark red background while the mysterious movement of his hands conjure the music in and out of being. 'Fantasia' was hugely popular, and made a notable contribution to cultivating a wider appreciation of classical music. But it also unwittingly peddled the still pervasive that conductors are, in effect, magicians- sorcerers who single-handedly extract waves of finely variegated sound out of thin air.
Perhaps the role of a conductor is a fitting description for leaders who often work in a directive style, giving specific instructions and listening for immediate feedback.
...The book's strength is in its mix of stories and perspectives, which ably convey the murky process by which orchestras build a bond of mutual trust.
..[Mr Claudio Abbado] is special, the musicians explain, not merely because of his clarity of vision, authoritative analysis or the mysterious energy of his gestures, but rather because of the way he listens. He appears to live the music, inviting them to live it with them.
In what ways can leaders 'live the music'? What would it mean for a Christian leader to 'live the music' and invite others to live it with them? What sounds can we listen for when God's people are living in purpose & harmony?
Players need to believe conductors understand what they are doing, and that their individual efforts make a difference. Conductors, in turn, need to trust their orchestras to do everything possible to make the music happen in the moment. ...the currency of this trust is listening... Hand gestures... are construed less as specific direction than as signs of a kind of ultra-responsive listening, a listening which feeds back into how the players hear each other.
How might rehearsal sessions prepare an orchestra and a conductor to 'make the music happen' in the moment? How can other teams rehearse, train or practice together to be confident that when their big gig comes, they are ready?
Finally, can you think of any specific examples where a leader has demonstrated 'ultra-responsive' listening? Are there any ways you can be a better listener in your spheres of service and leadership?
posted by pip @ 11:40 am
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