The conductor interprets the mechanics of the music to give the listener access to the art. The listener hears the players' specialist skills expressed through the conductor's interpretation. Organisational performance is the mechanics of management expressed through leaders' interpretation.

Leadership and management in a network might be defined as an ensemble of actors that, at their best, perform in harmony according to each actor's particular functional skills and competence. The leadership team is seen as a whole, and individual leaders and managers as its part.