Get buy-in from musicians
Let's imagine a conductor's job is to get buy-in from the musicians. This shifts the nature of the relationship between conductor and ensemble.
We often believe that the ensemble musician’s job is to do what the conductor says, to follow the conductor. And the conductor's job is to get the musicians to do what they want, to follow them. It's a game of compliance, which can feel quite transactional and impersonal.
On the other hand, the game of buy-in is one of influence - how the conductor could get the musicians to want what the conductor wants, to opt into following the conductor.
Buy-in requires both acceptance and commitment. The musicians have to agree with and are willing to actively support what the conductor is seeking. They commit to participating in the task.
Here are 3 things we can do to get buy-in from our musicians:
Cultivate a collaborative environment - See musicians as equal partners in the process and create their own sense of ownership. This can come from more transparency in communication (what you know is what they know), valuing musicians’ input (by asking for their opinions), and identifying moments where it makes more sense for you to follow them.
Put their work in context - Highlight the musical story and help them see why their part exists. How could they make sense of the music in terms of phrasing, pacing, or balance? How could they see their contribution as important, even if seemingly simple or irrelevant? How could they understand how others in the group might depend on them?
Share your enthusiasm - Be open and authentic about why you love the piece and what's so special about it. Recognize that they may not like it as much as you do, though your genuine energy and excitement itself will be contagious.
Let's elevate our game beyond mere compliance, and shift into a game of collaboration, where the key to entry is buy-in.
What are some other ways you can get buy-in from your musicians?
P.S. - In my Leader to Leader article, I write about getting buy-in as a crucial part of the conductor being a storyteller.
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