Partnership
The involvement of the HILTI Foundation and Hilti AG in the International Conducting Competition Liechtenstein serves as a prime example of how modern cultural partnerships can be structured. The collaboration was deliberately structured as a substantive partnership. The starting point was the observation that conductors and business leaders face comparable challenges: both lead highly qualified specialists, provide direction, make decisions under time pressure and rally people towards a common goal.
These parallels formed the basis for an intensive exchange between the competition participants and representatives of the commercial enterprise, who supported the young conductors as discussion partners and mentors. The focus was deliberately not on musical issues, but on leadership, communication, presence and personal impact.
One key insight from the mentoring programme was: ‘How do I enter a room? How do I greet an orchestra?’ For it is often these first moments of verbal and non-verbal communication that determine whether a collaboration succeeds or fails. The important question, therefore, is: with what inner attitude do I begin a rehearsal or a concert?
One insight from the mentoring session was: ‘How do I enter a room? How do I greet an orchestra?’ For it is often these initial moments of verbal and non-verbal communication that determine whether a collaboration will succeed or not. It is therefore important to ask: with what inner attitude do I begin a rehearsal or a concert?
Alongside good technique and a compelling musical vision, it is therefore also a matter of reflecting on fundamental questions, such as ‘Why do I conduct?’ and ‘What do I want my work to inspire in people?’. Those who consciously answer these questions immediately before stepping onto the podium do not focus exclusively on the pressure to deliver a perfect performance, but rather on their inner compass. This mindset is crucial when it comes to building trust and developing compelling persuasiveness, so that the result is not just a good performance, but an exceptional one.
At the same time, by observing the artistic approach, the business partners gained direct insights into various decision-making processes involved in working with professional orchestras. The conductors brought a variety of leadership styles to life. What is often difficult to observe in everyday corporate life became visible here within a few days, allowing participants to reflect on it consciously. Music thus became a mirror for leadership.