Leadership: Why It's a Buzzword and How It Affects Musicians

Learn the importance of leadership skills for independent musicians.

Introduction

“Leadership”.

There's another term that's grown into buzzword.

Used now in almost every sector, from corporate boardrooms, politics to artistic communities. 

Despite its ubiquity though, I feel that the concept of leadership is often misunderstood, with many equating it to authority or domination.

For us musicians, this misunderstanding could potentially undermine the collaborative nature of music-making and artistic growth.

It's a word we ought to dig deeper into on our own terms. And understanding the true nature of leadership and its application in the musical realm is an excellent investment of our time and energy as we navigate the ever-evolving socio-cultural and socio-political landscapes that inform our work by default.

Let's discuss.

What is Leadership, Really?

At its core, leadership is not about dominance, but trust. 

Reliability. 

The kind that lends us influence, collaborative skills, and vision, rather than holding a position of power.

Peter Northouse explains a worthy interpretation in his book 'Leadership: Theory and Practice'.

Leadership is a process, not a title. It involves mutual influence between leaders and followers to achieve shared goals (Northouse, 2018).

So how does this dynamic manifest in music?

Well to start with, in ways more frequent than we realise.

Whether a conductor guiding an orchestra, a bandleader working with musicians, or even a solo artist making decisions about their creative direction, leadership in the arts is not restricted to 'managing' others. 

It’s about accountability.

Taking responsibility for our creative process, making thoughtful decisions, and guiding our co-artists and team-members toward a cohesive artistic vision. 

Why Leadership Is a Buzzword

The idea of leadership has permeated nearly every professional domain in recent decades. 

Societal shifts, rapid technological changes, political chaos, socio-cultural complexities, a pandemic, and increasing globalization have elevated the urgent demand for strong leaders in all fields.

The flip side is how it has led to oversimplified views of the concept, where it is often treated as a one-size-fits-all idea.

In music, as in other areas, this misunderstanding can obscure leadership's nuanced role across structures. 

Leadership in the arts is far from monolithic; it's been around for way longer than it gets credit for and takes on subtle to gross forms depending on the artist's size, structure, and style. 

The expectation of leadership remains a constant though, with or without us realizing it, making it a critical skill for all musicians.

Leadership Structures in Music

Even though many of us may not realize it we have always worked under a variety of leadership structures—some hierarchical, others collaborative.

Here are three examples of this that musicians can relate to:

Orchestras and Big Bands: 

These large ensembles typically operate under clear hierarchical leadership.

The composer's works dictate the general direction of things and the conductor or bandleader has the final say on executive decisions and interpreting the score, thereby guiding the ensemble’s sound.

Scholars like Henry Kingsbury have pointed out that orchestras are intricate 'social systems', where the conductor’s role is both authoritative and collaborative, balancing the need for control with allowing musicians to express their artistry (Kingsbury, 1988). 

Smaller Bands and Chamber Ensembles: 

Smaller groups often distribute leadership more evenly. In a chamber ensemble, for example, musicians typically make collective decisions about the interpretation of the music, fostering a more egalitarian environment. Leadership here is less about authority and more about teamwork and mutual respect.

 

Solo Artists: 

Though somewhat counter-intuitive, solo musicians working mostly alone need leadership skills too.

Apart from dealing with the massive responsibility of creating and driving the artistic direction, making business decisions about our career or collaborating with producers, agents, and marketers require incredible quantities of discernment and level-headedness. 

Besides crafting our unique sound and artistic vision, we practice what can be referred to as 'self-leadership', making crucial decisions about our brand identity, profile, persona, and PR.

Leadership Is Not About Dominance:

One of the most common misconceptions about leadership is that it’s about dominance.

In reality, effective leadership is about influencing and supporting a shared vision, not controlling others. 

The ability to play a supporting role as a number two or number three—often requires just as much leadership skill, if not more.

This is particularly evident in music, where collaboration is key, and success depends on the contribution of every individual in the ensemble.

In a large band or orchestra, principal players, like the concertmaster or section leader, often embody leadership by guiding their section without overshadowing the conductor. 

Similarly, in smaller groups, strong collaborators are essential to the creative process, offering input and helping to shape the final result. This isn’t always about being at the top of the hierarchy; it’s about excelling in whatever role we are playing ourselves first and contributing to the collective outcome. 

Nothing is more unattractive than the band leader who tries to get their co-artists to do the heavy lifting to compensate for their own shortcomings.

Songwriting and Production

For singer-songwriters who produce their own music or collaborate with a producer and band, leadership skills are crucial in guiding the overall creative vision and actually manifesting it.

As a songwriter, we're responsible for more than just 'lyrics and melody'.

We’re also managing the direction of our project. Whether deciding how a song should be arranged, coordinating sessions with musicians, or providing feedback to our sound engineer or producer, the ability to communicate clearly and inspire others to align with our vision is key.

Even in collaborations where input from multiple parties is vital, it’s essential to maintain that balance between creative freedom and the focus needed to bring our work to life. 

Leadership in this context is often more about managing relationships and encouraging a safe and nurturing environment where creativity can flourish, ensuring the final result reflects the essence and integrity of the original idea.

Leadership as an Artist: Embracing Interchangeable Roles

One of the hallmarks of a truly great artist is the ability to fluidly transition between different roles—whether as a leader, a follower, a mentor, or a student. 

I'm going to cite three examples of three of my favourite artists off the top of my head to elaborate.

Miles Davis

Miles Davis dropped out of Julliard to learn under jazz greats like Clark Terry, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie, absorbing their leadership styles and musical vision. 

As he matured, he transitioned into the role of a bandleader himself, collaborating with a roster of artists like John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, JoeZawinul, Ron Carter, John McLaughlin, George Duke, Keith Jarret, and John Scofield (just to name a few), who later became leaders and stars in their own right.

Davis’ ability to shift between being a student, collaborator, and leader demonstrates the dynamic nature of leadership in music. His leadership style wasn’t about controlling his bandmates in the traditional sense of the word (though his methods were unconventional, to say the least), but about pushing them to explore and express themselves in an unapologetically authentic manner.

His openness to explore outside the realms of his traditions to attempt collaborations with the likes of Prince and Jimi Hendrix (which unfortunately, never happened), has established him as a timeless icon representing innovative leadership for generations of musicians, (despite questionable choices that have made his personal life a controversial one).

Meshell Ndgeocello

Meshell Ndegeocello exemplifies fluidity in leadership roles in a more zeitgeist-relevant context, as a genre-bending bassist, singer-songwriter, and producer who is possibly single-handedly responsible for establishing an entirely new genre ('Alternative Jazz') while moving between an eclectic series of projects, ensembles and collaborations.

Her remarkable skillset ranging from a solo artist who writes, performs, and produces her own music, a solid portfolio as a session musician in the past, to playing the role of a mentor in more recent years demonstrates a rare brilliance and adaptability. 

Ndegeocello will often lead from the background, producing or performing in ways that enhance the overall project without overshadowing others. Her career highlights how leadership in music can involve guiding and supporting from various positions, all while maintaining a strong artistic vision.

(Check out my podcast episode with Jake Sherman where he talks about his experiences working with Meshell).

A.R. Rahman 

Let's look farther east now.

Globally renowned composer and producer Rahman adds yet another dimension to all of this. His leadership spans not only across genres but also across platforms, from film scoring to live performances.

Rahman has composed some of the most iconic soundtracks in Indian and global cinema while collaborating with a staggeringly wide range of musicians and vocalists. 

Furthermore, his founding of the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai and more recently Mumbai (where I had the honor of co-inaugurating the new facilities), underscores his commitment to leadership and music-education on an entirely different level, creating a space where emerging musicians can learn, practice and innovate.

Rahman’s career is a testament to how an artist can seamlessly blend roles as a leader, educator, and collaborator, all the while pushing the boundaries of their craft, especially considering the location and era he was navigating as a formative artist.

Each of these artists—Miles Davis, Meshell Ndegeocello, and A.R. Rahman—demonstrate how leadership in music is not just confined to a single role or position. It is instead, about embracing and mastering multiple roles over time, adapting to the needs of the project, and fostering creativity both within themselves and their external environment.

The Role of Musicians as Mentors, Leaders, and Students

Leadership for musicians isn’t about maintaining a fixed position of authority but about continually evolving through different roles.

A truly successful artist in my opinion, understands that they must know how to lead, at other times follow and sometimes just hold space and support. And most importantly, keep learning themselves.

The dedicated artist looking to build a sustainable career and leave a legacy, will be a mentor to 'younger' artists, get mentored themselves by more experienced practitioners while staying dedicated to their own artistic practice.

Research supports the idea that leadership and mentorship are interconnected. According to Clutterbuck and Garvey (2015), ''mentorship is a key tool in leadership development, particularly in creative industries where the sharing of knowledge and experience is vital for growth.''

Musicians who embrace this philosophy will not only strengthen their own leadership skills but also contribute to the development of the next generation of artists. I've gone on the record to support this POV wholeheartedly.

Are Leaders Born or Cultivated?

Now that we've established the significance of leadership for musicians, here's another hot topic that we need to talk about.

One of the age-old debates surrounding leadership is whether great leaders are born with innate abilities, or if leadership can be cultivated over time.

In my experience, this is a way more complex topic than is usually given credit for. And responses will vary drastically based on factors like cultural conditioning, belief systems, location and social circumstances.

That being said, after an ongoing career and practice for over 25 years as an independent artist and educator amidst multiple countries, here are some thoughts and observations I'd like to share with you.

While some individuals may naturally possess certain qualities like charisma or decisiveness, research overwhelmingly supports the idea that leadership is a skill developed through experience.

(I can't help but vehemently support this theory as a die-hard introvert who had to work years to fight social anxiety and build his skills to transition from music nerd to performer and educator).

Daniel Goleman’s work on emotional intelligence highlights that self-awareness, empathy, and social skills—key traits of effective leaders—can be learned and refined (Goleman, 2006).

For musicians, leadership often emerges from embodying, adopting, and/or evolving through different artistic archetypes.

Some of these are:

The Visionary: like a solo artist shaping an entirely new sound.

The Collaborator: who excels at working in ensembles or bands.

The Mentor: who guides younger artists and fosters their growth.

All these roles require leadership in varying forms. And ideally, we embody a healthy balance of all three, with varying degrees of fluency and comfort in each.

Artists grow as leaders not just by some forced attempt to 'take charge' that is incompatible to their inherent strengths and weaknesses, but by embodying these archetypes in varying capacities over time.

The key here is learning from others, creating opportunities, and adapting to the needs of their creative environments. 

Whether we begin as a 'side-man', a producer, or solo performer, leadership is a skill that evolves continually as we build our artistic identity and practice, balancing a combined approach of nature and nurture.

Actionable Steps for Musicians to Strengthen Leadership

Hopefully I've given you something helpful to motivate you to build your own leadership skills by now. 

So before we end I'd like to leave you with a few practical steps you can take right now to start.

1. Seek Mentorship:

Find a mentor who can offer guidance and help you navigate challenges. Mentorship is a powerful way to develop leadership, and research shows that learning from those with experience can significantly accelerate personal and professional growth (Clutterbuck & Garvey, 2015).

2. Develop Self-Awareness:

Reflect on your own strengths, weaknesses, and values. Daniel Goleman’s research on emotional intelligence suggests that self-awareness is key to effective leadership (Goleman, 2006). Understanding how you interact with others can help you lead more effectively.

3. Study Leadership Theories:

Explore leadership models, such as transformational leadership, which emphasizes motivating and inspiring others, or servant leadership, which focuses on supporting your team (Burns, 1978). These concepts can be applied directly to the world of music.

4. Respect Collaboration:

Leadership is often about facilitating collaboration. Encouraging open communication and fostering an atmosphere of trust can lead to more creative and productive musical outcomes. Research shows that collaborative leadership enhances innovation in creative industries (Hülsheger et al., 2009).

5. Take Initiative:

Be proactive in your musical environment. Whether that means suggesting new repertoire, organizing rehearsals, trying out new methods in the practice, or just booking performances, taking initiative demonstrates leadership and inspires those around you.

6. Learn to hold space:

Counter-balance to the last suggestion.

Understand the art of restraint by knowing when to take a back seat and allowing others to shine. 

Cultivating a sense of what is appropriate to the moment—whether it’s stepping back during a rehearsal or studio session or giving space for a collaborator’s idea to flourish—is crucial for effective leadership. This practice of "holding space" demonstrates respect and adaptability, essential qualities for a harmonious and productive creative environment.

7. Cultivate Cultural and Gender Sensitivity:

Being aware of and sensitive to cultural and gender differences is really important in today’s diverse arts landscape. 

Regardless of what your personal views happen be on the narrative, keep an open mind mind on the way things are. There's a lot of information flying around and it can get confusing. So observe well and make a sincere effort to process it on your own terms.

Respecting the unique perspectives and contributions of our peers and audiences is a non-negotiable (assuming they are not a blatant and immediate threat to anyone's safety). 

Understanding different cultural, racial, and gender perspectives is crucial to inclusivity and genuine equality. And while this is an extraordinarily complex and nuanced topic, it goes a long way in ensuring the quality of your leadership practices.

8. Cultivate Empathy:

Cultivate the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathy in leadership involves actively listening to your collaborators, recognizing their needs, and responding with sensitivity. This skill is essential for building trust, resolving conflicts, and creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued. In music, empathy helps you connect deeply with your bandmates and audience, enhancing both creative collaboration and performance.

9. Understand Boundaries: 

While empathy is essential, setting and respecting boundaries, both for yourself and others is equally necessary for a healthy balance. This means knowing when to say no, managing your time, and protecting your creative and mental space. 

In collaborative settings, it's important to recognize the personal and professional limits of those you work with, ensuring that no one (including you), feels overextended or disrespected. 

Understanding boundaries fosters a healthier working environment, helps prevent burnout, and facilitates clearer communication and expectations.

10. Build Self-Discipline and Integrity: 

Effective leadership requires a strong sense of self-discipline and integrity. This means being consistent in your work ethic, meeting deadlines, staying committed to your artistic vision, and upholding ethical standards in all your professional interactions. 

For musicians, this can involve the discipline to practice regularly, manage time efficiently, and maintain transparency in collaborations. Leading with integrity builds trust and sets a positive example for those around you, reinforcing a culture of respect and accountability.

“The one thing I’ve always tried to instill in my kids, and in anybody I work with, is that your work ethic and your integrity are the two things that no one can ever take away from you. If you stay true to those, you’ll have longevity and respect, no matter what field you're in.” — Quincy Jones 

Conclusion

That was a lot of information. And if you're reading till here, you're clearly serious about this. 

But in case all of that was overwhelming, here's the one takeaway I want to leave you with for now.

Leadership is not about domination or control.

It’s about trust, reliability, work ethic, empathy, and vision.

And if we're doing that right, that much-coveted sense of authority and respect we clamour for in our often flimsy attempts at mastering this role will be a natural bi-product. My two pence anyway.

Whether we are leading an ensemble, crafting our careers, mentoring younger co-artists or even getting mentored ourselves, leadership is integral to true success. 

By embracing the interchangeable roles of leader, follower, mentor, and student, we can foster both artistic growth and career sustainability. 

And as music and the music industry continue to evolve in ways we don't always understand immediately, understanding and practicing the role leadership plays will remain and grow increasingly relevant for navigating this dynamic landscape.

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References

- Northouse, P. G. (2018). *Leadership: Theory and Practice*. Sage Publications.- Kotter, J. P. (2012). *Leading Change*. Harvard Business Review Press.- Kingsbury, H. (1988). *Music, Talent, and Performance: A Conservatory Cultural System*. Temple University Press.- Kratus, J. (2016). *Creativity in Music Education*. Rowman & Littlefield.- Clutterbuck, D., & Garvey, B. (2015). *Mentoring in Action: A Practical Guide for Managers*. Routledge.- Goleman, D. (2006). *Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ*. Bantam Books.- Burns, J. M. (1978). *Leadership*. Harper & Row.- Hülsheger, U. R., Anderson, N., & Salgado, J. F. (2009). *Team-Level Predictors of Innovation at Work: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Spanning Three Decades of Research*. *Journal of Applied Psychology*, 94(5), 1128-1145.

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Categories: : mental health, music business