Führung im Orchester : Kunst ohne künstlerische Freiheit? Eine empirische Untersuchung

Abstract

A conductor´s leadership style is largely directive, even though creative performance is generated. In an orchestra a directive leadership style is necessary for coordination but is likely to produce negative secondary motivational effects among players. If the conductor is accepted as the uncontested authority in his métier by the musicians, such negative effects can be compensated. A sample consisting of 186 musicians from 20 German orchestras shows that a directive leadership style enhances the artistic quality of an orchestra especially when the conductor´s professional authority is perceived to be high. This result is used as the basis for conclusions for research on leadership.