--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the end it is the musician who…" description: "\"In the end it is the musician who actually plays the notes. The impresario - or the project leader - is only there to make sure that happens. That is a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/john-kao-11833_different_in-the-end-it-is-the-musician-who-actual_1799667.png" --- # In the end it is the musician who actually plays the… ![“In the end it is the musician who actually plays the notes. The impresario - or the project leader - is only there to make sure that happens. That is a very different type of management mind-set.” quote by John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/john-kao-11833_different_in-the-end-it-is-the-musician-who-actual_1799667.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/john-kao-11833_different_in-the-end-it-is-the-musician-who-actual_1799667.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d4/john-kao-11833_different_in-the-end-it-is-the-musician-who-actual_1799667.png) > “In the end it is the musician who actually plays the notes. The impresario - or the project leader - is only there to make sure that happens. That is a very different type of management mind-set.” [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Management should focus on enabling creators rather than directing them, recognizing the distinct mindset needed to support artistic work. **In simple terms:** Support creators, don’t control them. Key Takeaway Empower artists, avoid micromanagement. Themes leadership creativity support Mood reflective inspirational Type leadership philosophical When to use this quote - team meetings - project planning - artistic collaborations - creative workshops Key Concepts empowerment management style Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders balance artistic freedom with project deadlines? - What structures help protect creative space? A Different Perspective Creative autonomy can be hard to measure and align with business goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Impresario](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impresario-390633/) [Impresario Project](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impresario-project-2020667/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind set](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-set/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Musician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musician/) [Musician Actually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musician-actually-902673/) [Notes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/notes/) [Notes Impresario](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/notes-impresario-2020666/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Plays Notes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plays-notes-2020668/) [Projects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/projects/) [Type](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/type/) ## Related quotes > [The impresario function is about intervening with the company's more administrative management structure. It is about trying to establish a sense of boundaries and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-impresario-function-is-about-intervening-with-the-company-s-more/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The C.E.O.'s job in a creativity-driven company is to be an impresario, not a manager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-c-e-o-s-job-in-a-creativity-driven-company-is-to-be-an-impresario/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Ultimately, the impresario must know when to simply get out of the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/ultimately-the-impresario-must-know-when-to-simply-get-out-of-the-way/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The impresario's job is to pick the right people who can pick the right people. He picks the people who can pick artists and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-impresario-s-job-is-to-pick-the-right-people-who-can-pick-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The impresario functions as a bridge and a translator. He or she is a bridge between the creative point of view - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-impresario-functions-as-a-bridge-and-a-translator-he-or-she-is-a/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [A large part of the impresario's job has to do with maintaining and communicating standards of performance. Knowing how to set those standards -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/a-large-part-of-the-impresario-s-job-has-to-do-with-maintaining-and/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The manager's job - the impresario's job - is to preside over the company's efforts to jam so the business runs really well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-manager-s-job-the-impresario-s-job-is-to-preside-over-the-company/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [I would say I'm a musician first, actually. I started playing music when I was 10. Then I started designing, went to school, set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henrik-vibskov/i-would-say-i-m-a-musician-first-actually-i-started-playing-music/) [Henrik Vibskov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henrik-vibskov/) > [I never have been a musician; I'm not actually capable. Because I can't even pretend to acquire the gift, all of my first feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-lethem/i-never-have-been-a-musician-i-m-not-actually-capable-because-i-can-t/) [Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) > [I think that today, in Europe at least, people don't tend to think so much about the instrument that is producing the music; they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michala-petri/i-think-that-today-in-europe-at-least-people-don-t-tend-to-think-so/) [Michala Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michala-petri/) > [I grew up in a time when being a musician and learning to be a musician was actually very wonderful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-mcferrin/i-grew-up-in-a-time-when-being-a-musician-and-learning-to-be-a/) [Bobby McFerrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-mcferrin/) > [I'm talking as a professional impresario. I'm not judging anybody at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-granz/i-m-talking-as-a-professional-impresario-i-m-not-judging-anybody-at/) [Norman Granz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-granz/) > [I am not a scientist. I am, rather, an impresario of scientists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-yves-cousteau/i-am-not-a-scientist-i-am-rather-an-impresario-of-scientists/) [Jacques Yves Cousteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-yves-cousteau/) > [The traditional managerial mind-set is an analytical mind-set. It is about creating accountability and defining responsibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-traditional-managerial-mind-set-is-an-analytical-mind-set-it-is/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [When you come into a creativity-driven environment, things are very different and there is the danger that a traditional managerial mind-set could even do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/when-you-come-into-a-creativity-driven-environment-things-are-very/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) ## More by John Kao > [The impresario function is about intervening with the company's more administrative management structure. It is about trying to establish a sense of boundaries and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-impresario-function-is-about-intervening-with-the-company-s-more/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The traditional model for a company like Coca-Cola is to hire one big advertising agency and essentially outsource all of its creativity in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-traditional-model-for-a-company-like-coca-cola-is-to-hire-one-big/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [If you are at Coca-Cola, the creative challenge is one of maintaining - rather than creating - a tremendous level of consumption for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/if-you-are-at-coca-cola-the-creative-challenge-is-one-of-maintaining/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [In a corporate context, companies have to try very hard to oppose the enticements of conventional wisdom. They must aim for the leaps, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/in-a-corporate-context-companies-have-to-try-very-hard-to-oppose-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Coca-Cola can get really fresh output because it is getting people who are outside the traditional model and they are combining ideas in very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/coca-cola-can-get-really-fresh-output-because-it-is-getting-people/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [All of these creative ideas and decisions about new ways to reach the consumer can be tracked with regard to how well they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/all-of-these-creative-ideas-and-decisions-about-new-ways-to-reach-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The imagination is like a muscle: it strengthens through use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-imagination-is-like-a-muscle-it-strengthens-through-use/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [If you come up with a new product, you can very easily track its contribution to the bottom line. But often the challenge can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/if-you-come-up-with-a-new-product-you-can-very-easily-track-its/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Companies have to take risks to get new knowledge, in a manner similar to how jazz musicians take risks when they go after a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/companies-have-to-take-risks-to-get-new-knowledge-in-a-manner-similar/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Performers may play in the studio, but they need to go out and tour every once in a while to keep their edge, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/performers-may-play-in-the-studio-but-they-need-to-go-out-and-tour/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [You would not let your kids do whatever they want. So the challenge is to create accountability in a non-mechanistic way. You cannot come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/you-would-not-let-your-kids-do-whatever-they-want-so-the-challenge-is/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [There's real "right brain" creativity that goes into all of the organizational processes that a company utilizes and must continually reinvent in order to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/there-s-real-right-brain-creativity-that-goes-into-all-of-the/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Instead of command and control, managing the creative process is about facilitating and permitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/instead-of-command-and-control-managing-the-creative-process-is-about/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Rather than managing by clarifying events, the creative process may require raising the level of uncertainty. Sometimes this can be done by issuing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/rather-than-managing-by-clarifying-events-the-creative-process-may/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [The conventional asset-allocation method is like sheet music. It is prescribed, it has right answers and wrong answers and it sounds about the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-conventional-asset-allocation-method-is-like-sheet-music-it-is/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) [Explore all 57 John Kao quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) ## More Different quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. 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They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [One of the reasons that I do a lot of different kinds of pictures is because I learn a lot when I'm doing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-jason-leigh/one-of-the-reasons-that-i-do-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-pictures-is/) [Jennifer Jason Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-jason-leigh/) > [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/) [Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. 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Its such a gratifying experience getting to creatively keep trying something new and push things in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-craig-smith/my-favorite-job-is-the-next-one-its-such-a-gratifying-experience/) [Roger Craig Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-craig-smith/) [Browse all 28,697 Different quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the end it is the musician who actually plays the notes. The impresario - or the project leader - is only there to make sure that happens. 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