Only a clearly communicated perspective, directed by a wise and capable leader, results in a magnificent performance.
While attending a symphony it is pretty hard to avoid noticing the conductor. He is the one standing on the platform performing a strange and mysterious arm-waving ritual that somehow tells the musicians how to play. The style can vary anywhere from restrained to erratic, but still the symphony plays. Is all that arm flailing really necessary?
Regardless of the style, the “arm flailing” is sending an essential message. The musicians in the symphony know what, when, and how to play their part because of the signals sent by the conductor. They know to watch for the down-stroke of the conductor’s right hand, indicating the first beat of each measure and the up-stroke, indicating the last beat of the measure. Because the musicians are well trained in their part, the conductor need not indicate every separate note to be played.
Standing on the platform in full view of all the musicians, the conductor is ready to direct each individual part into a synchronized whole. He has the musical score before him, he sees the big picture and knows when to tone down a section and when to encourage instruments to play louder. He chooses methods ranging between short, abrupt strokes to large, powerful waves to interpret the mood of the music. With respect for each musician, and guided by the score prepared by the composer, the conductor creates a careful blending of each individual’s instrument into a masterful performance.
All the players know their parts well and could probably play just fine without the leader. But without the conductor, their individual parts would never become a symphony. A symphony consists of polished performances from many sections that become a unified whole. If not played together it is merely a cacophony of disconnected sounds. To achieve the intended level of performance, there must be a conductor who has the entire score (not just individual parts) constantly before him, and blends all the individual parts into one melodic sound. That is the power held in the hand of the conductor.
Leadership is the ability to translate vision into successful reality. The conductor, with the musical score, brings the individual instruments into a harmonized whole. Leaders must see the “big picture” to accomplish the same thing with their people. Each leader will apply an individual style but if the vision is not clearly defined, no amount of charisma or talent will make up for a lack of direction. Only with this clearly communicated perspective from an experienced and wise leader will all the unique, individual parts come together in a magnificent and satisfying performance.