I recently attended a concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Philharmonic choirs performing Handel’s Messiah -one of the great choral works written and 2 hours in length. I was sitting there my ears being tickled with the amazing sounds of strings,brass and percussion flowing together so fluidly, and my mind begins to wander as it often does to what can I learn! (Don’t ask)
Here is the maestro (conductor) on stage with 215 people (some of whom are maestros in their chosen instrument) and they are all moving in step. Everybody knowing their exact role and knowing the others will do the same. How can this conductor can get 215 musicians and singers to work so well together and we often see business owners with 7 or 10 or 15 employees struggling to “get on the same page”? What am I missing? Is the conductor that good? Are his people that talented? Can I compare an orchestra and choirs to business? I think so! Here are some of the things I came up with about what makes a good conductor and how these apply to a business owner.
1. Make sure everybody knows the program
Whether it was the musicians with their sheet music or the chorus members with their hymn books, each player was moving along in harmony with the others. They all change pages at the same time and continue playing in complete unison. Do you have sheet music for your business, or do you just let everybody “figure it out” by watching everyone else?
2. Get people who can play their role
I’m sure there is a rigorous interviewing and auditioning process in place to both identify and screen applicants for both the orchestra and chorus. Why should someone hired into your business experience anything different?
3. Be passionate
As the concert went on the conductor became more and more engrossed, breathing heavy and I’m sure breaking into a sweat. He really loved what he was doing and was having fun and it showed! Would your team describe you as someone who is passionate about your business and say you’re having fun? If you’re not, why would anyone else? I’ve been to a lot of concerts and there are few things that can match the overall beauty and power of a well conducted orchestra. The same thing can be said for a business. Next time you go to your favourite store or restaurant, give some thought to how well the place is being “conducted.” See your business as someone might see it for the first time. Would they describe it as being well conducted or a complete mess?
