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  • Published: 19 May 2015
  • ISBN: 9780241971413
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 304

The Ignorant Maestro

How Great Leaders Inspire Unpredictable Brilliance




Discover the art of leadership through the world's greatest maestros

A conductor is an iconic symbol of leadership. But what does a maestro actually do to ensure cooperation, harmony and a flawless performance? The key is to embrace ignorance.

For twenty years, orchestra conductor Itay Talgam has taught non-musicians the art of leading like a conductor - from CEOs to entrepreneurs, politicians to schoolteachers. Now, he brings that art to leaders everywhere. Featuring Talgam's anecdotes and insights, and six of the most iconic conductors as examples, The Ignorant Maestro will change the way you think about listening, humility and the path to unpredictable brilliance, and empower you to lead your team to greater harmony.

  • Published: 19 May 2015
  • ISBN: 9780241971413
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 304

Praise for The Ignorant Maestro

Will get you thinking, regardless of what you know about conducting or leadership

Management Today

As we make our way up the ranks, we become less connected to the front lines and may often know less than we feel comfortable admitting. Itay Talgam encourages us to open our minds and shows us that our ignorance can be our greatest advantage

Simon Sinek, optimist and author of Start with Why and Leaders Eat Last

Talgam inspires us to think beyond leadership dogma and for the first time learn to truly listen

Nir Eyal, author of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products

A great conductor stands alone in front of an orchestra, but knows that it is the collective genius of the group that creates something incredible. In this book, Itay Talgam reveals the counterintuitive lessons that business leaders can learn from world-famous conductors about empowering organizations and audiences

Ryan Holiday, author of Obstacle is the Way

Music is magic and Itay Talgam's book lets us stand beside him to revel in that magic in leadership, and life

David Marquet, author of Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders

An enthralling portrait of some of music's most fascinating conductors that serves as a vehicle for a remarkably thoughtful study of leadership. No musical experience needed - Itay Talgam brings the baton wielding personalities to life and the lessons ring clear

General Stanley McChrystal, author of Team of Teams

Itay uses his knowledge of leading an orchestra to provide unique insight into business leadership ... When Itay speaks of the orchestra--conductors, players, and orchestral dynamics--his perspectives translate beautifully to the business world

Anne Loehr, Huffington Post