Picture a quiet auditorium. On stage is a semi-circle of musicians dressed in black and white. On the left are the violins, then the violas in the center, with the cellos all the way to the right. Behind them are the brass and the woodwinds and backing them all, the percussion. Each section of the symphony has a part to play to create a masterful, moving whole. Each knows how to play their part; they've practiced which notes to play when, and for how long, and how loudly. Their part of the written score is in front of them as a reminder. But, as skilled and practiced as they are, all they have is their part. The sections need someone who knows all of their parts, all of their strengths, and has the blueprint for bringing them together.
He walks out onto the stage, tux tails flapping as he strides to his podium, in the center of it all. In front of him is the entire score, all of the sections' parts, covered in notations. He faces his team and makes sure they are ready. He sets the tempo and then, on his signal, the music begins. A hundred different instruments come together to form one glorious sound. The conductor lets each section know what he needs from them throughout the performance. He sets their tempos, gestures for smooth or staccato sounds, invites them to increase or decrease their volume... he knows what they are capable of, and how he needs to utilize those capabilities to create the exact piece of music they are tasked with playing. He is not a better musician, or a better person; he just has the full score and so his contribution to the team effort is putting all the pieces together.
The conductor is a true leader. He sees the overall goal and has the plan for how to get there. He understands what each member of his team contributes and knows how to support them. He weaves the pieces of his team together in just the right way to create just the effect that they need in each moment. He puts trust in his musicians, his team members, and simply lets them know what he needs from them, and when.
As Jedi, we often find ourselves in leadership roles. We spend time fostering the kind of traits - the compassiom, the wisdom, the humility - that make good leaders so it's natural that we will be called upon to lead at times. We must remember that leadership isn't about telling people what to do though, it's about having the knowledge and skill to support them in playing their part in the larger plan.
