The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has recorded 71 albums, won three Grammy awards, toured 46 countries and performed for 50 years – and it’s done it all without a conductor. Does it hold the secret to a leaderless future? And does that mean the music is about to stop for the CEO?

Louis Hanzlik, trumpeter of Orpheus and professor at the University of Connecticut, will talk about how Orpheus, a democratically-mindful community of musicians, offers a sustained and thriving example of what is possible for all of us—individually and collectively—when leadership is inclusive rather than exclusive, when team roles are purpose-driven rather than status-driven and rotating rather than fixed, and where everyone is responsible to each other and for the outcome of their collective efforts.

The Orpheus model is a way of being. The potential application for all of us is worthy of our attention as it shows an approach to creating and leadership that prioritizes empowerment, mutual respect, trust, and the expertise of all.