🎻 Leading Like a Conductor: What The Inner City Youth Orchestra Concert Reminded Me About Leadership and Teamwork

This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the season finale concert of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles at the Walt Disney Concert Hall—an inspiring performance sponsored by many generous supporters, including the Los Angeles chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

From the youngest violinist, to the full orchestra, to the soulful tribute to Quincy Jones and the Black Divas of Soul, with the dynamic singer Shelea, the concert offered more than beautiful music—it offered a masterclass in leadership and collaboration.

Leading a nonprofit like St. Anne’s Family Services is a lot like conducting a symphony. You don’t need to play every instrument, but you must understand the foundation of music, how each section contributes, how to keep everyone in rhythm, and when to step forward—or step back.

A powerful moment was when Founder and Executive Director Charles Dickerson III stepped aside and allowed another conductor to lead a piece. That quiet act modeled something profound: leadership is not about always being out front. It’s about building a strong bench, trusting others to take the lead, and making space to focus on strategy and sustainability.

🎶 Throughout the performance, soloists were given the space to shine. Just like in the workplace, when people are empowered to bring their best forward, the entire team is elevated.

🎻 I was especially moved by the youngest performers—still early in their musical journey—playing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” It was simple, but it was their best. It reminded me that we must meet people where they are. We can't hold new team members to the same proficiency expectations as seasoned professionals, but we can create environments where everyone is valued and encouraged and given tools to grow.

🖤⚪ The musicians followed a clear black-and-white dress code—but each brought their own personal flair. A reminder that structure and individuality can coexist. It’s possible to uphold professional standards while allowing authenticity to shine through.

👀 One touching moments was watching a very young boy look not to the conductor, but to the slightly older girl next to him. He mirrored her every bow stroke, drawing confidence from her presence. That’s mentorship in action—not always formal, but powerful just the same.

✨ Another form of mentorship played out beautifully: musicians and composers from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) were seated side by side with the young performers, helping them sound their best. That kind of intentional pairing of seasoned professionals with emerging talent is a model we can all learn from—whether in music or in leadership.

🎯 Mr. Dickerson also shared that some youth were more drawn to rhythmic rather than harmonic music, so he created the Inner City Youth Drum Corps, led by Ronald Tyson and housed at the Salvation Army. That’s adaptive leadership: staying rooted in your mission while evolving to meet new community needs. It’s about noticing where energy lives—and building from there.

🎤 The concert also reminded me of the power of listening to your audience. Singer Sheléa engaged the crowd with a “Name That Diva” moment, asking who they wanted to hear next. The energy soared. In business, we need to do the same—engage our clients, our participants, our stakeholders. What do they need? What moves them?

📲🎼 I even noticed how some musicians used iPads while others used traditional sheet music. No one way was “better”—they simply reflected different tools used to achieve the same goal. In any workplace, that balance between tradition and innovation is key.

And perhaps the most emotional moment of the night: when Mr. Dickerson brought his former high school teacher on stage—the one who saw his talent in the 1960s, placed him in an elite choir, and supported his development. She saw his potential when others might have missed it due to stereotyping. That’s the long-lasting impact of leaders who believe in people before they fully believe in themselves. That investment will impact others for generations to come.

This concert wasn’t just a celebration of music—it was a living reminder of what leadership and teamwork look like when done with vision, humility, and heart. It captured everything I believe about leading well:

🎼 Let others lead 🎼 Celebrate excellence at every stage 🎼 Nurture growth and individuality 🎼 Pair experience with emerging talent 🎼 Adapt to the needs of the people you serve 🎼 Embrace both tradition and innovation 🎼 And most of all—see the people in front of you.

When we lead like this, we don’t just create harmony—we create lasting impact.

#Leadership #Teamwork #NonprofitLeadership #Mentorship #OrganizationalCulture #Innovation #YouthEmpowerment #CommunityImpact #ICYO #LACO #CharlesDickersonIII #StAnnesFamilyServices #TheLinksIncorporated #Shelea #WorkplaceCulture #QuincyJonesTribute