In many sectors, personality is everything and especially when you are going for a job interview, one of the key things that they are looking for is personality. Everyone likes to hire a "people person." However, as much as I like to have charming and happy people around me, especially if we are spending many hours travelling to an event, I need to be confident that when we press the play button, our band can perform. In my experience, the best musicians have certain idiosyncrasies which can be annoying and really test a bandleader's tolerance levels, but they can also create a frenzied atmosphere and have an audience begging for more. But, here's the dilemma; the happy, personable players tick all the easy boxes, but can't pass a stress test based on performance and the sour-faced players with idiosyncratic traits can't adapt to stringent protocol.
In our band, as we cover more and more corporate work and luxury events, this factor has become an issue, so I thought of bouncing it off this forum to hear from more experienced players and bandleaders. I would be particularly interested to hear about your experience in making difficult choices when working with musicians and, things that you will or will never tolerate no matter how good a player.
It would also be great if all respondents could try to stay on topic and keep their comments as relevant as possible.
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A band leader has to have the personality that will get the best out of every member.
Thanks for all the replies.
Being a leader is not an easy task, an important one is how you deal with multiple personalities, often times you will find that you have to remind the "best musicians" that they are part of a group and is required to adhere to the same code of conduct, it is called professionalism. The johns that hire you don't really need you, you need them, they are paying for what you are selling and if something is wrong with what you are selling no one is going to hire you. No player should be bigger than the band.
I have to agree with Cecil on his insights on leadership and professionalism, based on what you describe there was a time when the personality factor worked, in the corporate world today the character ethic and skill-set determines employability.
Robert Greenidge to me is a perfect example of the consummate professional, as a steelband leader, solo performer and group performer. His relationship and performances with millionaire Jimmy Buffet band is a testament to what most steel pan musicians should strive to become, having a good work ethic combine with the skill-sets can keep you permanently employed.
My suggestion is to study the great band leaders of the jazz era like Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Quincy Jones. There are lessons that can be learned, like how they kept their brand name while keeping their band members egos under control. Their bands spawned many great jazz musicians.
This is a good subject, take for instance, we have the greatest Pan Player in the World, but he will make you shame on an interview (He isn't Articulate at all), you have no choice but to hire him, he is the Best.
You do have a choice because the best pan player is not necessarily the best representative.
I hear you Patrick, I guess that's why a lot of times the Best is not selected to represent us.