Page 8 - 2019 BMR April

The Importance of a Leader’s

Attitude and Character!

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

Over the years I have been TALENT is a gift,
responsible for selecting countless The longer I live, the more I but CHARACTER is a choice.
section leaders, captains, drum majors, realize the impact of ATTITUDE CHARACTER is the sum total of our
officers, etc., to embrace the daunting, on life. ATTITUDE, to me, is everyday choices.
never-ending responsibilities more important than facts. It CHARACTER rests on the foundation
is more important than the
connected with their leadership past, than education, than of integrity.
responsibilities. money, than circumstances, CHARACTER reflects a consistent
True Story: During one audition than failures, than successes,
level of self-discipline.
process there were several very than what other people think, CHARACTER is a reflection of one’s
qualified candidates vying for the say or do. It is more important values, thoughts, feelings and actions.
position of band president. After an than appearance, giftedness
extensive vetting (including detailed or skill. It will make or break After some four decades of working
a company... a church... a
introspective questionnaires and home. The remarkable thing with student leaders across the country
personal interviews) I made a selection is we have a choice every day and around the world it has become
that took everyone by surprise since regarding the ATTITUDE we vividly clear—the finest leaders are
the candidate was not the most embrace for that day. We always the finest role models. They
talented, was not a Senior member, cannot change our past... we WALK THEIR TALK and they do it
and was not the most popular student. cannot change the fact that with a SENSE OF CLASS recognized
When asked WHY this individual was people will act in a certain and applauded by their fellow band
chosen, the answer was simple: way. We cannot change the members.
“HE HAS A POSITIVE ATTITUDE inevitable. The only thing we Let us always remember:
AND EXEMPLARY CHARACTER can do is play the one string Leadership isn’t something we do;
we have, and that is our
ATTRIBUTES.” ATTITUDE... I am convinced that Leadership is something we are.
Then came the predictable question life is 10% what happens to me
Following his tenure in the college band directing
from those who weren’t chosen: “How and 90% how I react to it. And world, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser created Attitude
can you measure ATTITUDE and so it is with you... we are in Concepts for Today, Inc., an organization designed
CHARACTER?” The answer: charge of our ATTITUDES. to manage the many requests for teacher inservice
workshops, student leadership seminars, and
“By the way the person approaches ABILITY is what you are convention speaking engagements focusing on the area
all aspects of his/her life.” capable of doing. of effective leadership training. To date, some three
million students have experienced one of his popular
…and the explanation continued, MOTIVATION determines sessions. Tim presently serves as Vice President of
“The band president must portray what you do. Education for Conn-Selmer, Inc. He is a nationally
recognized voice touting the importance of arts
the epitome of the finest role model ATTITUDE determines how education for every child. His books, produced by
G.I.A. Publications, Inc., continue to be bestsellers
so the band members will respect well you do it. in the educational community. Tim is also the Senior
and trust the chosen individual. John Maxwell’s best seller, Talent Is Educational Advisor for Music for All, and NAMM
(The National Association of Music Merchants).
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE and a Never Enough, reminds us we cannot He holds degrees from Ball State University and the
FIRST-CLASS CHARACTER are rely on our innate talents to catapult University of Alabama. In 1995 he was awarded an
Honorary Doctorate from the VanderCook College
imperative.” of Music. He continues to teach as an adjunct faculty
us to the key leadership postures. member at Ball State University, Indiana-Purdue/
The famous-and-powerful quote The leader’s ultimate efforts must be Ft. Wayne University, and Butler University. In
addition, he is a member of the Midwest Clinic Board
(from the pen of Charles Swindoll) focused on the never-ending pathway of Directors and the Western International Band
permanently rests on my desk to be of CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Clinic/American Band College Board of Directors. He
is presently the Chair of the National Association for
viewed and reviewed each day: Music Education Music Honor Society (Tri-M).

Bandmasters Review • April 2019 6 Texas Bandmasters Association