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Being or becoming a church musician is a very different identity and skill set than a musician doing church music.  There really is a tremendous difference!  The church musician, the conductor of the choir, the music leader for worship must be focused on and dedicated to leading people in a strong spiritual journey through liturgy and worship participation.  It is a unique and very special duty and delight!  The conductor is, in fact, a spiritual leader, a transformational leader empowered by God.

Examine at the word Transform. It is not merely change, or we would use that word.  It is a verb with an expanded vision and is much more transcendent.  It implies a deeper, more fundamental alteration of our very form. (trans – form) The continuing process of transformation begins with the moment of inspiration and continues in us through times of action, rest and reflection.  The conductor is in a unique position to effect and change lives for positively for the faith journey. Music directors are a fine-tuned instrument for God’s use.

Conductors understand transformation experientially.  The very nature of our work is that of transformation.

A group of singers shows up for rehearsal.  They come to sing – each with a different perspective and possibly a different level of talent.  The skilled choral conductor listens, instructs, motivates, encourages, and affirms the changes that are necessary to mold this unrelated group of singers into a unified sound.  The product is called an ensemble. We strive for that unity as an ensemble each time we rehearse or perform.

The magic of transformation is absolutely necessary in the world of music.  Transformation happens not by chance but by intention, not only from the leader, but from the participants as well.  The results are cumulative.  Once the sense of ensemble is achieved and experienced first hand, it can be believed. 

So why are we not committed to building that sense of ensemble in all that we undertake?  Maybe it’s an education issue for those whom we lead.  Maybe it’s a lack of understanding that this is a transferable concept from musical groups to other groups.

Why is that concept so foreign to all of us?  And why does the concept seem unattainable?  We can believe in the universal power of transformation.  Are we willing
to try?  Are we willing to teach?

Transform means change.  How does the leader inspire, enable and empower others to bring change into an organization?  By encouraging, sharing, coaching, trusting, modeling, valuing, reinforcing and many others.  Being a Transformational Leader is similar in many ways to being a Charismatic Leader.  The major difference is the focus of the Transformational Leader on working through people and not through one’s own power.

The Transformational Leader produces through people.  The ideal model for this is the choral ensemble.  The chorus is inspired and enabled by the enthusiasm and charisma of the director/leader.  There is a shared vision because they are working from the same piece of music as interpreted by the conductor.  They are empowered to produce to the best of their ability by the positive direction of their leader.  There is constant nurture and encouragement, both verbally (in rehearsal) and visually (in performance.)  The role of the leader is to model as well as inspire and encourage.  Let’s take these items separately.

Impacting people’s lives and moving toward a strong vision is what the Transformational Leader endorses totally.  Maintaining the unswerving commitment to the vision and encouraging others is one of the key driving forces toward success.  Music directors especially recognize that they are in the business of transforming people and their productivity.  The other transformation that takes place is the key: transforming people’s lives through their participation in programs and events.

Working through people is the foundation of this form of leadership.  Respect for the individual and for whom they are personally.  Building a strong vision and continually selling that vision to participants is one of the key roles the Transformation Leader plays.  And it is a role that is fundamental to the organic make-up of the Transformational Leader.  The charisma and enthusiasm that the leader shows is the inspiration to those who follow.  It is the encouragement that followers need when days are dark and the going gets tough. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel when there is no end in sight.

The leader raises the emotional energy in the group by their level of enthusiasm and support.  Those who will follow need a strong vision, a strong encouragement and strong affirmations along the way.  If there are little signs of success along the way, then the belief systems for those who follow will be strengthened.

Getting people to follow you to fulfill a vision takes strong leadership skills, good communication skills, enthusiasm, charisma and most of all trust.  If people know they can trust you, then they will follow a path that is not yet clear to them.  They will follow, trusting that the path is clear to you, or that you know how to find the way to the final goal.  This requires that the leader model the way he or she desires his or her followers to act.  The group will learn quickly if the leader is sincere or not.  The actions of the Transformational Leader must be the same as the spoken beliefs. These actions will speak louder that any words ever will.  So, the leader must lead the way be acting in ways that fulfill the spoken and or written vision.

Working through others depends on their empowerment.  It also depends on clear definition of the vision and clear directions along the way.  If you depend on those whom you lead to follow this model, then empowerment is essential.  Let go of things that others can do.  Help them develop the skills to do these tasks if they do not have all the skills necessary.  Build their skills, as they are able to learn.  Encourage, nurture, coach and let go.  Let them put their personal stamp on the work.  Use their ideas, as they apply to the vision. Do not discount their contributions, even if these ideas are not exactly what you would have done.  They will do it differently.  Get over it.  Delegate and transform.  As they develop ownership in the project, they will develop their own momentum.

Be sure to reinforce good work and acknowledge results.  Celebrate their contributions. If they do not have all the information, knowledge or skills to pull off the objective, give them some of yours.  Contribute to their success in any way that you can.  It’s not about your achievement it’s about their journey towards transformation.  Your achievement is wrapped-up with their success.

Transformation is not an event - it is a process.  You are not a dictator you are an enabler, a coach and a Transformational Leader.  Those who have experienced transformation will impact the world in which the live, work and worship.

The strength of the leader sets the speed of the team.  Model the type of behavior that you want.  Give your best – expect their best.  Know what you want – know how to handle the situation when things don’t go right.

There are times to reign in your staff, the volunteers you’ve recruited, and yourself.  Remember how it feels when people speak harshly to you, so when going about this reigning in, don’t be harsh.

Remember always that the Transformational Leader works through people.  You work through people by enabling, coaching and encouraging, not by forcing or with raw power.

Continually sharpen your skills for proficiency, and continually focus your devotional life so that you are Transformational Leader transforming followers spiritually.  After all is said and done, the end result should be spiritual renewal, spiritual transformation and spiritually equipping people for Christian service.

Getting too focused on programs, goals and strategies can and will keep a leader away from the main focus on the spiritual journey.  Keep your focus on God’s work through your work.  God transforms people through the talents given to you.

Set and keep a daily routine for personal devotion.  Read constantly.  Listen constantly to God’s messages in the readings, through others and in prayer and meditation.  God leads, we follow.  We lead, and others follow.  Don’t let that chain be broken.  It is through God’s power that we succeed.  Read and remember scripture that relates to following God and that relates to God’s equipping.

Get to know all the people in the group over which you have leadership responsibility.  Know their skills and desires.  Know who can do what task and who will likely want to do what task.  A leader must be an example of the traits they expect their volunteers and staff to manifest in their duties.  A good leader must also know what to ask from people and where to assign them.  Do not expect a duck to act like an eagle.  All of the positive modeling in the world will not change that kind of reality.

Leadership is about relationship and personal fulfillment.  If they feel affirmed and you have earned the right to ask through relationship, then they will be more willing to do more for you.

Build leaders by matching tasks with a person’s skills and desires, by giving clear directions, by giving all the needed support, and finally, by following up with support and affirmation for a job well done.

This is a repeat, partially, of previous ideas.  If you want to constantly improve your skills and your efficiency, then associate with people you admire or from whom you can learn.  If you have trouble with efficiency – if you think that you waste time – then do not associate with others who have not learned to use their time efficiently.  If someone is constantly trying to catch up with their duties or is constantly complaining about not having enough time to get things done, then they will most likely not be the person who can help you.   After all, every day has the same number of hours for each of us.  We must figure out for ourselves just how to use that time.  Associate with people who have balanced schedules, who are busy, but who know how to organize their time and their tasks so that life is not constantly out of control.

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