April 2004

Innovation Tips

...for thriving on collaborative innovation.

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The Power of Shared Leadership

 

The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has been described as the greatest chamber orchestra the world has ever heard and one of the great marvels of the music world. They have been thrilling music lovers on four continents for 31 years.

 

Orpheus has changed the way the world thinks about musicians and their roles in orchestras, for they perform WITHOUT a conductor. The musicians have mastered the art of shared leadership. Their unique approach, the "Orpheus Process" has been the subject of two documentary films, a book, and numerous articles.

 

What they do in performing music, other organizations can do in performing their own services. The orchestra’Äôs flat decision-making style engenders strong commitment and highly collaborative outcomes.

 

Orpheus puts the power in the hands of the people doing the work. They create clear roles while they share and rotate leadership. They have learned to really listen and to talk together in a way that generates consensus and productive outcomes. Few organizations of any type have attained their acumen for congenial collaboration.

 

To achieve their success, they have broken some centuries-old customs. Orchestras have traditionally followed the command-and-control model of organizational leadership: The conductor decides and the musicians obey. Consequently, the job satisfaction of traditional musicians has often plummeted to the same levels often reported by prison guards.

 

The Orpheus musicians develop a spirited consensus through collaborative dialogue. They have a voice in what gets performed and report levels of job satisfaction among the highest of employees anywhere. Orpheus also has a long list of musicians aspiring to get into the orchestra.

 

Do you want an organization that people are lining up to join? Consider the Orpheus approach to shared leadership.

 

 

SPECIAL WORKSHOP ON THE ORPHEUS PROCESS:

Orpheus is offering a one-time experiential workshop at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, May 8 at 6:00 p.m., with a live performance to follow. The entry fee is $30 and includes a complimentary ticket to the performance at 8:00. Please visit http://www.partnersfi.com/Orpheus for information.

 

TO REGISTER email: info@partnersfi.com

 

Seminar sponsored by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and Partners for Innovation, Inc.

 

 

 

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