You have reviewed a number of theories and
concepts associated with leadership up to this point in the course. You have
likely been associated with individuals who led using some or all of these
principles. Therefore, you should have your own opinions about which leadership
theories work well and which may be less effective or less representative of
those used in the "real world." After watching the TED talk consider
the following questions:
1.
How do you interpret Talgam’s ideas?
2.
What are the parallels or disconnects between Talgam’s ideas about how
conductors lead and what you know now about leadership?
Consider it abstractly or theoretically,
leadership involves many traits and style. Contrast leadership is viewed by
others through the optics of an NFL who see the quarterback as the leader, NBA
head coach, principal of a school, or a conductor of an orchestra. The traits of a leader can be applied to
anyone and perhaps everywhere. In our
studies, we identified that everyone can be a leader be it at home in their
personal lives, or at the job.
“Every act of creation is first an act of
destruction (Pablo Picasso)”. This week topic is centered on a TedTalk “Lead
like the Great Conductors” by Itay Talgam.
With just a gesture of the hands, Talgam brings what seems to be musical
chaos to order, transforming noise to music by bringing structure as the
conductor which comes from a skill approach process. Although Talgam is in the position of
leadership, it takes more than a title to lead an orchestra which people are willing to follow.
Talgam has invested more than a decade of his life as a conductor in his
native country Israel, Itay Talgam, is now a conductor of people in business. In Talgam’s TedTalk he shared how an
orchestra conductor faces the uncertainties and challenges of being the leader
of so many musicians; the creation of pitch-perfect harmony without saying one
word. Talgam illustrates key elements of
leadership through videos of various conductors from around the globe. I will attempt to bring my interpretation of the parallels between
Talgam concepts what is known today about leadership are:
Commanding Conductor: This conductor takes a more commanding stands providing the structure which falls on the directive style of leadership. Not too long ago, about 3 years to be exact,
this style of leadership led to a signed letter from all 700 members of La Scala
musicians written to Riccardo Muti expressing their feelings which in
part stated “you are a great conductor, however, we lack the desire to work
with you, so kindly resign”. These
skilled professional musicians felt they were being used as mere instruments,
not as partners, which prevented them from developing and growing. In this situation of leadership, Muti did not
alter his style. He chose a commanding and controlling style that points to low-supportive and high-directive
behavior. The dynamics of this approach
clearly illustrate that people do not gravitate towards leaders who are
commanding which organizations are now making a shift in how they lead. I recall an experience as a first-line leader
where I was approached by a few of my followers who bluntly stated that I was
too demanding and progressive which has caused others to bid into a different
department. This was an indictment on my
failure to adjust to followers needs. In
simple terms, Leaders must recognize what followers need and adapt their style
to meet the need. 
Supporting Conductor: Carlos Kleiber is more
of a hybrid style of leader that is balanced between supportive and
directive in such a way that it enables the musicians to perform their best
piece of work. Kleiber gesture is like a mother who gently guides her child in
the right direction, but leave a space of autonomy that allows his musicians to
add their own interpretation of his music. Kleiber's structure and his
influential style forces everyone to follow his process that people have stated, “it’s
like being on a rollercoaster” yet his conducting process forces everyone to operate within a certain parameter. The
amazing thing is, the rollercoaster is not a physical thing but a mental
thing. It’s a mental partnership between
the conductor and the musicians which motivates the musicians to create the
mental rollercoaster which produces some of the best music. In today’s workplace leaders are becoming
more path-goal driven, leading teams using participative, supportive, and
achievement-oriented behavior. On a
weekly and monthly basis, we receive newsletters, videos, and blogs from
leadership expressing their supportive viewpoints on how well we are doing. Videos from the CEO encouraging everyone to
continue performing, do what's right, and work safely. My direct leadership takes time to meet with
followers in weekly meetings to support new ideas and follow up on other ensuring they
are getting their needs met or rationale why certain needs cannot be met. This makes for a very productive and
motivating climate which allow everyone to be connected as partners.
Talgam TedTalks help us see leadership from
his perspective and through a different pair of lens that we traditionally do
not see. His contrast illustration of
leadership his open my eyes to metaphorically see leadership as more than what
I know it be traditional and it’s practical application.
Reference:
Northouse, P. G. (2015). Leadership: Theory
and Practice 7th ed. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publishing.
Talgam, I. (2009, October 21). Lead like the great
conductors. TedTalk. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/R9g3Q-qvtss
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