A Performance Masterclass

We were asked by TSO Consulting to provide an alternative perspective on performance, to see what could be gained from looking through a different lens at this key business issue. The world of opera offered the UK Executive Board of a global IT company an excellent platform to consider their performance as individuals, as a leadership team and as a business.

We designed a unique masterclass to reveal how Welsh National Opera goes about creating its world-renowned performances. Re-creating our rehearsal process, members of the Chorus, an accompanist and the Chorus Master of WNO, illustrated how singers work together quickly and effectively as a high performing team.

The masterclass uncovered the attention to detail and rehearsal process that is needed to ensure WNO’s performance standards do not slip. The Chorus demonstrated how they collectively strive for perfection, highlighting the importance of listening to each other, focusing on the bigger picture (not individual egos!) and trusting team members to deliver. Part of the practice of being a singer is taking personal responsibility for the quality of the performance and the discipline of the rehearsal process ensures they gel together as a team.

During the workshop, the Chorus Master’s role was brought to life, emphasising the need for different feedback styles to get the best out of performers, build their confidence and turn a good performance a great one. Critiquing our performance and ensuring artists remain motivated, is vitally important to the success of our business as an opera company. Watching the Chorus Master’s interaction with the team and the way he delivered feedback and praise, gave the client Board food for thought.

Through dialogue with the participants, we explored what they noticed about how WNO rehearses, drawing analogies between the world of opera and business. They reflected upon the confidence WNO Chorus members have in each other and in their leader, as well as their shared desire for constant improvement and achieving excellence. The masterclass stimulated conversations around being prepared, ‘fit’ for work, and giving your best everyday, as well as the environment that is needed to achieve very high standards. The metaphors and stories presented really helped to communicate issues that the client team wanted to discuss and move forward in their business.

"It was critical that WNO's work as part of this key development programme resonated with the commanding business issues being explored by the client team. Of course these were two worlds apart. It was important the client team appreciated the relevance of WNO's contribution and WNO worked hard to achieve this."

Rachel Bicker, Managing Director, TSO Consulting.