How Are the Concepts of Substitutes for Leadership and Leadership Neutralizers Relevant to This Case?

1. How are the concepts of substitutes for leadership and leadership neutralizers relevant to this case?

The theory of substitutes for leadership proposes that leaders are not necessary in all settings and that there can be situational variables that allow for substitutes for leadership. This can increase or diminish a leader's ability to influence others (IKM, page 467). In the example of Orpheus, one can see how the situational variables work together to diminish the need for a leader.

Orpheus is a clear example of an orchestra where everyone is a leader. Despite the lack of leadership, Orpheus, a 27 member orchestra, is able to successfully function due to its team's willingness to collaborate and rely on each other for their own unique expertise. Having tried and tested a consensus decision making model, Orpheus moved to forming a small core group. This core group provided the rest of the orchestra with the required background research and expertise for each piece. This core group had rotating members, ensuring that everyone in the orchestra has a chance to make decisions. This group is cohesive, relies on each other, not a leader, and self-manages their responsibilities (IPK, pages 476-477).

With the rotating leadership model Orpheus has adopted, we see a clear example of substitute for leadership. Orpheus' elected leadership committee appoints a concertmaster according to the expertise required for the piece. This means that within a single concert, there can be multiple concertmasters; this is a clear example of how substitutes for leadership is present in Orpheus. Another example of how leadership is substituted is in regards to feedback. An Orpheus musician, also different each time, sits in the audience to garner feedback on a piece (IPK, page476-477).