The Boss is Dead. Long Live the Conductor.
4 ways conductors embody purpose-driven leadership
For a long time, when we talked about leadership, we were talking about the boss — the person sitting in the high-back chair in the crisp corner office with the important title.
And the title was generally enough to keep them there.
Or, as the mob would put it: “The boss is the boss is the boss.”
But things have changed.
In the case of the mob, John Gotti eliminated his boss because he didn’t feel his boss had earned the title nor did Gotti feel his focus was on what was best for the family.
Or at least, that’s how the story plays out in the film Gotti starring John Travolta.
In the case of business, we’re now on Gotti’s side. We reject the traditional notion of a boss, particularly if we feel that they are in it for themselves.
Instead of being the boss, try being a conductor instead.
Conductors know the piece. They know why they’re bringing people together, and they have a vision for what success looks like. Both are greater than themselves.
Conductors know they can’t play a symphony alone. They recruit the best person for each seat, understand their skills, and bring the best out of every person to create something compelling.
Conductors can’t micromanage their orchestra’s to-do list either. They can give their people support, coaching, more time to practice, and clear responses to their work. They can also provide guidance and guardrails to keep them from drifting too far, while leaving room for them to do things the way that works best for them.
Conductors beat time. They set the pace for the piece, ensuring that everyone stays aligned and on point.
And great conductors take pride in what they help their people accomplish together.
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