Playing Your Part When Leadership Changes

Six years ago, the founder of a billion-dollar advisory firm approached ClientWise for coaching. His primary objective was to increase enterprise value. We quickly learned, however, that the entire business centered around him – every client, every decision, every success. He was the driving force behind it all. He simply couldn’t see the underlying paradox:

The more the firm relied on him, the less valuable it became.

As Jim Collins describes in his book Good to Great, this advisor was the epitome of the “genius with 1,000 helpers.” But what he had yet to realize was that even leaders need to be part of a team. Not just leading the team – but actually in it.

That’s where the transformation began. The advisor shifted from being a soloist to building an ensemble; developing other leaders within the business who could play their own parts with confidence and accountability. Today, that team runs the firm, and the client is now preparing for his next act.

It’s an experience that reminds me of an important lesson about teamwork I learned many years ago while sitting in the low brass section of my high school band. From elementary school through high school, I played the euphonium – a deep, warm-voiced instrument that most people only recognize once they hear it. I was part of a section whose sound was rarely in the spotlight but always essential. We provided the foundation, carrying the harmonies that added depth and weight to the melody, supporting the rhythm, and giving power to the crescendos.

In a symphony, no single instrument carries the entire performance. The strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion all have distinct voices. Each one adds something vital and each person’s expertise operates at a different frequency. When every player concentrates on perfecting their instrument – and listens for the ensemble's balance – the music comes together.

One of the proudest moments of those years was when our band had the opportunity to perform at the Meyerson Symphony Center here in Dallas. Standing on that stage, surrounded by sound that seemed to swirl through the air, I remember feeling both invisible and essential. Every note mattered – not because it stood out, but because it fit perfectly within the larger sound. I still remember what we played (El Salón México by Aaron Copland), a piece he wrote after visiting a lively dance hall in Mexico City bearing the same name.

Year later, that experience still influences my view of great teams. When everyone understands their role, respects others' responsibilities, and gives their best effort, the outcome becomes truly exceptional. That’s what Total Team Leadership™ is all about – the ability of a team to operate with clarity, respect, and accountability; where leadership is shared and distributed. Every member leads from their position, contributing their strengths toward the team's collective success.

• The strategist sets the direction, much like a conductor interpreting a score
• Relationship managers add warmth and tone, forming emotional connections
• Operations professionals and client associates maintain the rhythm of service, keeping it steady and precise
• Business development and marketing leaders introduce new themes that drive the firm forward

When teams work this way, they foster harmony that clients can sense.

The confidence to stay in your lane and listen for balance

In the band, our conductor often reminded us that volume does not equal impact. The best performances occurred when every section played confidently but with restraint – each trusting others to do their part.

That lesson also applies to leaders. Staying in your lane isn’t about playing small; it’s about knowing your unique voice and how it contributes to the bigger performance. When each team member leads from their seat – taking responsibility for their role and respecting others’ expertise – clarity takes the place of chaos. You don’t need to overshadow others to be heard. You just have to perform your part with excellence and consistency.

Listening is what makes the difference between noise and music. Each musician learns to tune in not only to their own instrument, but also to the sound of the entire group. You can hear it in how the brass adjusts to the strings, or how the percussion responds to the conductor’s smallest cue.

For teams, the same principles apply. Each member needs to be aware of what others contribute to the performance. When leaders listen intentionally – paying attention to each other’s insights, experiences, and perspectives – they stay on track, prevent confusion, and anticipate each other’s moves.

Listening fosters respect, and respect fosters trust.

Decision-making as rehearsal

Before any concert, there are countless rehearsals. It’s where the hard work happens. Musicians debate phrasing, question timing, and experiment with new interpretations. The conversations can be spirited, but are always in service to the music.

Leadership teams conduct their own rehearsals when making decisions. They challenge assumptions, bring out differing opinions, and wrestle with direction. These behind-the-scenes moments are where genuine alignment is built.

At ClientWise, one of the valuable tools within our coaching programs (the Decision-Making/Problem-Solving Model™) is designed to help teams develop that precise discipline. It offers a structure to engage every voice, clarify what truly matters, and make confident, shared decisions. The process itself builds trust and enhances accountability. Like excellent rehearsals, it prepares the team for a perfect performance when it counts most.

When leadership changes

Leadership change is not a matter of if…it's a matter of when. If you're truly committed to building a lasting business, transition is unavoidable. As the firm expands and matures, the baton must eventually be passed on. The founder steps back, a new CEO takes the helm, or key responsibilities are handed over to emerging leaders.

Each transition shifts the rhythm of the business. The tempo feels different. The cues sound new. Even silence between notes gains a new significance. These moments can be both inspiring and challenging. For the founder or controlling owner, stepping aside isn’t so much about relinquishing control as it is about making space for others to take the lead. And that requires tremendous trust that the people you've developed can now carry the rhythm on their own.

For emerging leaders, it involves stepping forward with humility and confidence, honoring the legacy of what came before while also shaping what’s to come. And for the rest of the team, it requires patience and grace as everyone adjusts to a new sound. Transitions like these are the truest test of Total Team Leadership™.

The best ensembles don’t stop playing when the conductor changes – they lean in. They listen more carefully. They depend on each other's strengths to keep the music flowing until the new rhythm feels familiar. When advisory leadership shifts, clarity and communication set the tone everyone follows. Respect maintains the rhythm. And trust – the deep, earned trust among team members – becomes the evolving melody that moves the firm forward.

Stepping down and stepping up are both acts of leadership. One creates space; the other fills it with fresh energy. Both are crucial for a team that wants its music to endure.

Grace and support: the quiet harmony beneath the melody

In every exceptional performance, subtle harmonies often go unnoticed by most listeners – yet those layers are what complete the music. Grace and support serve the same quiet purpose within teams:

• Grace provides patience for growth
• Support builds confidence when someone is learning a new skill or adapting to change

Together, they maintain the rhythm of progress. High-performing teams blend grace with high standards. They allow each other space to grow without sacrificing expectations. They correct thoughtfully, adapt rapidly, and advance as one. That’s what it means to fully trust your ensemble.

Conducting with trust

When I think back to that founder and those years in the band, the lesson remains the same. Every great performance relies on trust, clarity, and shared responsibility. No single instrument carries the entire piece, and no leader can stand alone. Leadership isn’t about volume or control; it’s about making space for others to take charge.

Total Team Leadership™ focuses on fostering an environment where leadership is shared across the entire team. Each member leverages their strengths while trusting others to do the same. In this kind of culture, clarity replaces confusion, accountability replaces blame, and respect replaces competition. The conductor no longer controls every note; instead, the team takes shared ownership of the music.

Whenever leadership changes (and it always will) the ensemble continues performing with precision and pride because every player understands the score and trusts the musicians next to them. That’s how successful organizations endure. So as you consider your own team, ask yourself this important question: Are you leading solo, or are you part of an ensemble? And which would your clients value most?

Coaching Questions From This Article

1. How clearly has your team defined each member’s ‘part,’ and how do those roles complement one another?
2. Where can listening and trust improve your ability to make better decisions together?
3. How can your leadership team rehearse disagreements privately and present unity publicly?

About ClientWise LLC

ClientWise is the premier business and executive coaching firm working exclusively with financial professionals. We specialize in helping clients optimize growth and maximize revenue by engaging as a knowledgeable partner in accomplishing specific and significant business results. Our full-service coaching program empowers financial advisors, wholesalers, managers and executives to enhance performance through customized, action-oriented solutions based on each client’s specific vision and situation.

Our certified coaches are members of the International Coach Federation (ICF). They adhere to ICF’s strict code of ethics and have the experience and insight to work with you on the unique challenges and opportunities you face each day.

Drawing from an in-depth knowledge of the financial industry, ClientWise’s mission is to professionally develop industry leaders and consistently raise the bar for industry service, commitment and integrity. Simply put, our singular focus is to help you get clear, get focused, and get results.