Craig Harrison |
Craig Harrison’s Expressions Of Excellence!™ helps professionals
express their sales and service excellence with style. Contact him at
(510) 547-0664, via email or through Expressions Of Excellence.com regarding speaking, training, consulting, coaching and curriculum licensing.
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Craig Harrison
has written 5 articles for SB Informer. |
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Orchestrating Your LeadershipTeam Management Craig Harrison
July 10, 2007
Recently I had the opportunity to lead an orchestra. It’s an
experience I recommend to all. Admittedly, I had my doubts. With no
formal training I wondered: - Would I lead correctly? - Would others respond, and if so, how? - Would I look foolish? Follow My Lead I
did look foolish — but somewhat by design. My orchestra was a
conference audience whom I was training to step into their own
leadership. And follow my amusing lead each guest conductor
did…magnificently. (Some joked I was an easy act to follow. My mission
had been accomplished.) Conductor Gets All Aboard While
a soundtrack played in the background I passed the baton to a random
attendee and took the seat of my surprised successor, who then took a
short stint as leader. Each subsequent conductor’s seat was filled in
turn by the previous conductor at their whim. And to my satisfaction
the audience of aspiring leaders responded to each conductor. Their
styles varied yet the audience caught on to each leader’s style and
direction. They clapped, vamped and even soloed. During our debrief, it became clear we learned a great deal about leadership through this symphony ice-breaker: - There is no one right or wrong style of leading — many styles and approaches abound - Leadership goals and gains may be dependent upon one’s talent pool - Your leadership approach may be dependent upon the score, script or soundtrack you’re expected to follow - Your leadership may be dependent upon the conductor you follow and impression he or she has left Each
guest conductor remarked upon how different the view was from in front
of the audience. Conducting felt differently than they imagined it when
they had been sitting down. Upon returning to their seats after
conducting, conductors also better appreciated the role, risk and
responsibility of each who led that day. Leaders: Making Beautiful Music The
most effective conductors, and leaders, are the ones who elicit the
best from each of their musicians: the strings, brass, percussion and
woodwinds. The best leaders get their teams to meld their strengths
together to make beautiful music. - How well do you conduct the groups you lead? -
Do you connect with the various temperaments of your orchestra: the
quiet ones, the soloists, the steady backbones of your team, etc.? - Do you appreciate the various talents of your ensemble? How? Unconscious Trumps Self-Conscious Each
“leader” agreed that they performed best when they let go of concerns
about how they looked while leading. When their focus shifted to
results and bringing out the best in others, everything else fell into
place. Each leader learned from those before and after them,
and recognized that as the music changed, so too did the role of each
leader. When your time comes to lead, may you conduct your
musicians as a conductor leads the symphony. Be brave and expressive
and you’ll hear the bravos and bravas of your devotees. Leaders in Training You say you're a leader in training? Consider the following recommendations to hone your leadership skills: -
Join a Toastmasters club (toastmasters.org). They develop leadership
skills as well as communication skills. Become an officer within and
beyond the club you join. They have hundreds of positions where you can
gain valuable experience as a leader. - Identify and secure a mentor for yourself, whether within your organization or in your field. - Become a student of leadership: read books and watch movies about leadership. - Observe leadership styles of world and local leaders. -
Don't underestimate the value of cultivating your leadership skills
beyond your workplace: in church, through volunteer and service
organizations, or elsewhere in your community. - Avail yourself for
leadership opportunities in your organization: spearhead a blood or
food drive, plan a sports tournament, coordinate your company's
presence in philanthropic endeavors, etc.
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