In this week's Reith Lecture on BBC Radio
4 the pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim described music
as 'a hierarchy with equals'. That isn't a bad description
of leadership. There are no human groups without a hierarchy,
but a true leader, even at the pinnacle of a pyramid, still
see his or her colleagues as equals. As Field Marshal Lord
Montgomery once told me: "I made my soldiers partners
with me in the battle."
One consequence is that all leaders worth
the name are listening leaders. They don't, of course,
just listen. 'The art of music', said Barenboim
is listening to others and playing to others - not one or
other but simultaneously.' So listening and action are
woven into the very fabric of leadership.
Hearing Barenboim, incidentally, reminded
me of my school days when Sir Thomas Beecham used the school
hall to rehearse for his concerts. I used to creep into
the back of the empty hall and watch spell-bound a great leader
at work - talking, listening, conducting, challengine and
driving - until he had drawn out the greatness that was in
the music and in the musicians. They never forgot him,
and nor did I.
Quotable Quotes
Not only rules, but also examples are needed for establishing
a practice. Wittgenstein
I love to teach - new ways of making things
clearer. Richard Feinstein - Nobel Laureate in Physics
I tell you these things, not because you
know them not, but because you know them. All living
instruction is nothing but corroboration of intuitive knowledge.' Coventry Patmore
Gladly would he learn and gladly teach. Chaucer (on the Oxford scholar)
