From Authoritative to Shared Leadership: Learning Through Videos of Conductors

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Abstract: This video case serves as a springboard for discussion on how a team (orchestra) can function effectively without an obvious leader (conductor). These videos show varying styles and ranges of orchestral conducting and are used to evoke in students’ minds various forms of leadership (authoritative to transformational to shared). By contrasting the conductorless Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, with other orchestras that do have conductors, students can learn about leaderless teams through shared leadership. In particular, students can reflect on how the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra can work without a conductor and still successfully function as an orchestra.