My husband rates symphony orchestra conductors on their hair, the wilder the better. Actually, he just likes to make some fun and lucky for me he does appreciate a good concert because I try to go to the symphony whenever we go to visit a big city. Big symphony orchestra concerts are now something that a lot of people can’t afford- and my hope is that developing the traits for success will help get us all there, or wherever else we may want to go.

Working in a professional capacity in office settings over many years, I have been thinking about how past experiences I’ve had in music have taught me how to succeed in other areas. In particular, I have come across many conductors- a few world renowned- and have noticed that the most successful conductors have certain traits that would have also made them great CEOs or entrepreneurs. Anyone who develops these traits will surely succeed at whatever they set their mind to:

1. A good conductor works insanely hard.

A good conductor has great technical skill over the baton and a mastery of music. It’s hard to fathom how much effort goes into becoming a professional conductor. Most can play the piano- and all play at least one musical instrument at a high level. They have put in an extraordinary amount of work.

There may be one in a thousand people who learn to play an instrument who are actually able to parlay that into a professional orchestra job as a member of a section. Becoming a professional musician usually involves many years, starting in early childhood, practicing at least 4 hours per day, including significant time focused on repetitive exercises to develop facility and learn to play the instrument with a good sound and in tune. And out of those who have the skill and ability to become a professional orchestra player, there may be another one in a thousand who has the skill and ability to become a professional conductor.

A conductor needs to understand the theory of music- something that is mathematical in its precision and difficulty. Just reading a music score requires the conductor to simultaneously read about 15-20 lines on a page. As a comparison, to play the piano, you have to read two lines at once. For other instruments, you have to read one line (although with some instruments, usually strings, there are times when you may have to play 2-4 notes at once). While a score will be divided into orchestra section groupings (i.e. like strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion)- it’s a lot to read all at once. If you work insanely hard you will develop the technical skills you need to succeed at any profession you choose.

2. A good conductor knows what he wants to say and is also good at communicating it.

Conductors are there to interpret a piece of music, pulling out all of the drama the composer has written by directing the orchestra players and shaping how they play their parts. If you have ever watched an actor interpret a script, you know that just reading a script is not the same as watching an actor pull out drama, comedy, or other feelings through his interpretation and performance of the script. I have read some really uninteresting scripts that come alive and draw laughs from an audience in the hands of a good actor.

It’s the same with music- the conductor looks at the score and decides how he can pull the most out of the music to convey the greatest emotional effect on the audience. There are times when music can build to a crescendo, or drop to a hush. The conductor uses the colors and volume of the orchestra to craft a larger sound. To do this, he shows the players through his movements and coaching how he is shaping the music. He has to show everyone, from the first stand of the violins back to the triangle player in the percussion section. He also has to signal where he is in the score by showing the beat, and how the players in different sections should be playing in volume or quality by his expression. Of course, there is also preparation work done during rehearsal when the conductor talks to the players about his vision and how he sees particular sections or parts contributing to the whole.

The good conductor has developed a vision through painstaking study, and then is able to communicate his vision through open verbal communication and pure physicality of his actions. If you develop not only your vision but how to communicate it to others, you will achieve something great.

3. A good conductor has charisma.

The good conductors have a spark of excitement about what they are doing that is infectious. They have charm, they have intensity, and they have passion. This is a tough one to learn from because charisma is not necessarily something that can be learned.

There are certain people who have a natural charisma. For example, I remember the first time I ever saw Oprah Winfrey in person. She came to my high school to give a speech on Martin Luther King day. She had already filmed the Color Purple- but it wasn’t out yet. She was a local celebrity but not many people knew who she was outside of Chicago. I remember that I was outdoors and saw her getting into or out of a car. She had an electric charisma that demanded that I stare at her. It was uncanny.

So it’s hard to take a lesson from someone who has true charisma like that. But, I do think that when a person has excitement and happiness to be doing something, it’s infectious in that same way that natural charisma can be. When you throw yourself into your work, or whatever you are doing, with excitement, it will be infectious and others will be pulled toward you. My great aunt was full of wisdom, and she used to say “when you laugh, the world laughs with you—but when you cry, you cry alone.” When you are excited and happy, people want to join in, and that is something that you can train yourself to express so as to enhance your charisma.

4. A good conductor can deal with people.

Conductors always have to deal with boards and therefore politics. The orchestra board not only hires the conductor, but it is responsible for fundraising and programming. A conductor has to make the board (his boss) happy- and also needs to be able to socialize with important sponsors that keep the organization afloat. While the conductor may suggest programs, pieces, soloists, and other ideas, these usually need to be approved. With the amount of cooks in the kitchen that can comprise an orchestra board, the conductor needs to know how to do coalition building. The conductor also needs to deal with the players- a lot of them (call it 100 musicians in an average professional symphony). The best conductors build rapport among the group.

No matter what field you are in, building rapport with those around you, whether they are subordinates, colleagues, or bosses, is critical. Seek to find out what you share, and minimize differences. Don’t bad mouth anyone. Listen more than you talk. Never assume you are smarter than anyone else. Instead, assume they have something to teach you- especially if you find them irritating or stupid. Pay attention, and you will find that your people skills can get you farther than you ever dreamed.

One of the greatest things about achieving a level of financial freedom is being able to do what you want to do. For me, watching a major symphony orchestra –or a good community orchestra- led by a great conductor is one of the great pleasures I am fortunate to be able to enjoy. I encourage you to go to a concert. If you can’t afford a symphony, see when the local music school is putting on recitals or a local church is giving a concert. Watch the conductor and let me know if you agree.

*By the way – the pic is of one of the greatest conductors ever – Zdeněk Mácal.