Imagine if you will, watching an orchestra. A mass of
bodies in their black outfits studying the pages in front of them patiently waiting
for the conductor to beckon their participation. An impressive figure walks out
of the darkness onto a podium in front of the assembled group. After flipping a
few pages and acknowledging the applause of the crowd who know not what will be
accomplished, turns to the performers and raises the wand.
Not many jobs require a leader to have this much power over
your work or require that you blend into the crowd so to not be recognizes for
your outstanding accomplishment.
Some do rise above the class with certain virtuosity or
fervor and are rewarded by being made first chair. What happens to the rest of
the team? They sit and wait their turn to join the group in the belief that
more is better. What about the oboe player? A difficult instrument to play yet
there are very few pieces of music that will highlight the effort. Blending in
with the other reeds but often lost in it’s own quiet breath.
The strings work together to make their swirling sound
while the brass accents in it volume. The percussion carries the power but what
of the triangle?
A foreign language of dots and lines only known to a few
translate a composer’s thoughts into words for the musical performer. Up and
down scales with assorted pitch changes and timing variations is what the
player is required to read, understand, and give back with the precision of a
surgeon. Smaller groups can make variations on a theme causing a unique
performance but the audience wants to hear what it recognizes and questions a
deviance to the norm.
Everyone works in a similar team concept whether we know it
or not. Like a football organization, each player has his or her unique place
and necessary requirement to compete. Any business will acknowledge what their
mission and vision is and how each position must be filled to acquire the
ultimate goal.
Through our careers we claw our way through the maze of
different experiences retaining some and forwarding others. Surprisingly enough
during this journey each of us gets a chance to exceed. Some become followers
and some become leaders as we separate our talents or perceived abilities but
we all get a chance.
So I nod to the oboe player who will wait your turn. All
your sweat, blood and tears is appreciated.
