Hold the spotlight
A natural part of conducting is being in the spotlight. This comes with more attention, increased responsibility, and, yes, power.
Conductors have the power to dictate artistic choices, to make hiring decisions, to have authority in rehearsals, and to be the face of the orchestra publicly. In all those ways, they are in the spotlight. It makes sense we'd associate that with power. And we think to gain more power means being more in the spotlight.
In a conversation about personal power, Chris Lipp challenges this idea of power with the Spotlight Principle. It says the person who has the most power in the room is not the one in the spotlight, but the one who holds the spotlight.
What if contrary to what we think, we don't gain more power by gaining more of the spotlight?
We don't gain more power by seeking out how we can make even more decisions. We don't gain more power by seeking out how we can control every aspect of music-making. These can be unhelpful ways of wanting more of the spotlight.
What if we gain more power by being the one who holds the spotlight?
Here are 3 ways we can do this:
We shine the spotlight on musical features in the score to guide the focus of the orchestra and audience toward meaningful aspects of the music. We guide the narrative and the experience.
We shine the spotlight on specific musicians or sections to empower them to be seen doing what they do best, to allow them the space to do that best work, and to celebrate their individuality.
We shine the spotlight on collective interpretive goals. This clarifies what is important and serves as a reminder to keep the eyes on that prize. It streamlines progress.
Now, I'm sure as a conductor you already do these things, bring attention to musical features, highlight musicians, and talk about big picture musical direction.
What we can learn from the Spotlight Principle is to shift the mindset from seeing them as ways to put us in the spotlight, to seeing them as ways to be the person who holds the spotlight, shining it on what's helpful to the group.
We gain more power this way. This power is internal and deeply felt by the conductor and the people around them.
What are some ways you already shine the spotlight in your work? How could you reframe it as such to help you gain more personal power?
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