Maestro: A Surprising Story About Leading by Listening

By: Roger Nierenberg

Conductor Nierenberg has brought his skills at leading an orchestra to the business world with what he calls the Music Paradigm. Nierenberg teaches executives how to turn a company into a euphonious symphony of work. Simplistic and cloying, Nierenberg teaches his Music Paradigm through a parable; he presents an executive whose company is facing the challenges of the company working together effectively. Determined to discover new methods of leadership, the executive decides to sit in on his daughter’s violin teacher’s symphony rehearsal. As he sits in over several weeks, he learns not to oversee every note (i.e. micromanage), to lead (not to cheerlead), to listen first, and to create confidence in his employees by letting them take ownership of their decisions. Unfortunately, this executive is so obsessed with learning from the conductor that his mind is always on his next visit, and he often can’t wait to get away from an acrimonious conversation at work to sit in with the orchestra. The parable is undermined by the executive’s seeming self-regard; whatever lessons he’s supposed to learn are lost in his own quest to save himself.

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Praise for Maestro

“Maestro unravels and clarifies the basic elements of leadership using a symphony orchestra as a metaphor. It is completely original, creative, surprising, and as breathtakingly moving as the music he writes about. Maestro is one of the best books on leadership I’ve read in years.” — Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming a Leader

“Creative genius meets executive challenge in this unique and fascinating tale. Maestro is a must-read!” — Marshall Goldsmith, NYT bestselling author of Succession and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

“I have twice experienced Roger Nierenberg’s The Music Paradigm, an unparalleled leadership learning experience that has profoundly influenced me. Now he has turned the experience into a wonderful parable that conveys in print his gift of insight for leading people and organizations.” — Scott H. Heekin-Canedy, president and general manager, The New York Times

“Roger Nierenberg has written a compelling and insightful book that demonstrates how a collection of artists can come together to produce a convincing, unified musical statement. Not only is Nierenberg the consummate musician, he is a masterful teacher of the collaborative arts, musical or otherwise.” — Glenn Dicterow, concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic

“There is something truly magical about Roger Nierenberg’s work, and I am thrilled that he has put it into words for the first time. Leaders of every stripe will be inspired by the transformative power of this story and the secrets it reveals.” – Paul Binder, founding artistic director, Big Apple Circus

“For years I’ve watched Roger Nierenberg work his magic with corporate leaders through the use of music and the orchestra as a metaphor for leadership and teamwork. He has done a great job of sharing that experience with a broader audience. This is an interesting, entertaining, and enlightening book that uses a parable of a business leader and a conductor to convey some very important lessons in leadership.” – David A. Nadler, vice chairman, Marsh & McLennan

“I was absolutely captivated. The maestro will become your mentor, your teacher and your friend. Get a copy of this book for yourself and for everyone you know who needs to become a better leader, both in life and in business. And that would be everyone!” — Bob Burg, coauthor of the national bestseller, The Go-Giver

“A veteran of both podium and boardroom, Nierenberg illuminates the mysterious machinery of leadership in a way that is vivid, wholly original, and immensely practical. Maestro is astonishing.” — John David Mann, coauthor of the national bestseller, The Go-Giver