Leaders aren’t the ones who are in charge. They’re the ones with the courage to go first.
Simon Sinek, in A Bit of Optimism, Episode 6
Leadership is about the courage to go first. Asking the singers around you to quiet down in rehearsal is an act of leadership. Speaking up is an act of leadership. Offering new ideas is an act of leadership.
In my experience, choir members are often seeking more leaders. But finding people with the courage to go first can be the biggest block to finding them.
Conversely, choir conductors aren’t necessarily leaders. They surely “lead” rehearsal and make many of the decisions. But the strength of the ensemble and its members to lead the ensemble is much greater than any conductors.
The magic happens when you pair a high quality, visionary conductor with an ensemble full of singers with the courage to go first. With that, there is no limit to what a choir can achieve.