After binge watching a few episodes, I realized Rodrigo the maestro in "Mozart in the Jungle" would make an excellent boss. Sure he’s a little quirky, but one can deal with eccentricity and even outbursts if they felt that their boss was dedicated and passionate about the work. If this boss demonstrated some authenticity around wanting to learn and helping guide us to get things done right, it make the job a little easier to focus on. I suppose that’s a true example of leadership in action.

1. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
10 Reasons Rodrigo is the Best Boss Ever
From the Series “Mozart in the Jungle”
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2. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
He recognizes real talent & potential and the need to cultivate it
Rodrigo, the newly appointed Maestro for the New York Symphony, hears Hailey play and realizes that she
plays with a passion and her talent must be cultivated. He insists on hiring her to play in his symphony. He
even offers to pay for from his own salary. 2

3. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
Despite his authority, he doesn’t fall prey to the cult of personality
He’s polite to fans, but doesn’t get his energy or inspiration from their adulation and...
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4. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
He seeks out honest opinions rather than listen to fawning sycophants
He seeks the company and guidance of people he trusts rather than that of people who kowtow to his
authority. He encourages those who work for him to share their honest opinions rather than tell him only what
they think he wants to hear. 4

5. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
He’s self-aware and knows when change is needed
AfterBefore
If the focus is on his appearance rather than his work he changes it.
He admits when he is wrong and seeks to remedy it.
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6. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
He has vision
He looks for different ways to inspire his team and get them to understand his vision
To inspire their passion and connect them to the city in which they play he has them play in another
neighborhood. He connects them with the people in the city. Plus he just makes the work fun.
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7. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
He engages with a diverse range of people & environments
He sees inspiration for his work and connections in all places, and with various groups of people.
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8. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and help his team when needed
When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
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9. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
He respects seniority without
deferring to it, but he knows when
engage their help
Throughout the series he’s honest with his senior counterpart, even if it offends him, but he still respects his
experience and past. He seeks help in conducting the orchestra when needed.
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10. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
He is loyal to his team and he inspires
their loyalty with his actions and words
When his wife asks him to leave the orchestra point blank, he refuses and stands by them. When she insults
them and calls them mediocre, he insists that they have great potential, calling them “My Orchestra.”
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11. When help is needed and there’s a gap, he pitches in.
Reasons
1. He recognizes real talent & potential and the need to cultivate it
2. Despite his authority, he doesn’t fall prey to the cult of personality
3. He seeks out honest opinions rather than listen to fawning sycophants
4. He’s self-aware and knows when change is needed
5. He has vision
6. He looks for different ways to inspire his team and get them to understand his vision
7. He engages with a diverse range of people & environments
8. He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and help his team when needed
9. He respects seniority without deferring to it, but he knows when engage their help
10. He is loyal to his team and he inspires their loyalty with his actions and words
Have you seen these behaviors exhibited by leaders you know? Have you demonstrated any of these
behaviors as a leader yourself?
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