We have an identity deficiency in bands. If you’ve been in a band for more than a few weeks, a leader has at least somewhat emerged. Maybe he (I’m going to use “he” in this post a lot, but it could be “she” too) is the lead singer, maybe it’s the drummer. Doesn’t matter. Someone has stepped up to the plate to at least schedule when you’re going to rehearse next.
Band leaders: In your mind you at least have an inclination that you are in fact a leader. Own it. Step into it. You were wired that way and will always be that way. It’s time to lead your band better.
That doesn’t mean be bossy, while secretly wanting to do the work yourself cause no one else can do it right. It doesn’t mean spreading yourself so thin that you don’t get to sleep, while everyone else sleeps in. It doesn’t mean not getting to be a part of the creative side because you’re THAT GUY in the band.
Being a leader actually means a lot of great things, which I want to get into in future posts.
But it’s hard to look at yourself as a leader in a band when everyone is suppose to have equal value. There’s probably part of you that doesn’t want to even admit you’re a leader because you just want to be a dude in a band. Band of brothers. Everyone’s the same.
You really need to get over this. The sooner the better. It’s time to learn how to lead rather than dodging your innate qualities.
Everyone in the band can have the same value, but it’s just different values. Maybe I can even appropriately throw out the term separate but equal in this case.
Guy, from That Thing You Do, was just as important as Jimmy.
You have the burden and blessing of leading your band and your team.
A leader understanding that he is a leader and pouring lots of time and energy into doing that well in his given situation (a band), will add value to every person, meeting, rehearsal, show, interview, bus ride that happens in the life of the band.
And that’s what you’re looking for: life in the band.
If you’re the type of person who has read this entire post, my 8-ball is saying you’re probably a leader. Get to it.
p.s. In my experience and observing a million bands, the lead singer is usually involved in the leadership of the band. This isn’t always the case, but usually the case. Off the top of my head I can’t say exactly why this is (let me think on that), but it’s a general truth that you might want to embrace.