A conductor’s role is to create an environment which allows her individual musicians to excel.
A leader’s role is to create an environment where her team members can excel.
A conductor isn’t necessarily the best musician. But that doesn’t matter.
A leader isn’t necessarily the most technically proficient. But that doesn’t matter.
A conductor doesn’t produce any sound, but his success is judged by the collective sounds of his orchestra.
A leader may not produce any tangible product, but his success is judged by the quality his team produces.
A conductor translates a vision into reality.
A leader translates a vision into reality.
A conductor brings together many individual musical scores to create a sublime 'whole'.
A leader successfully combines a diverse range of skills and experience to achieve synergy.
Can you think of any more analogies?
‘The role of a leader is to build and sustain an exceptional operating environment’.