Disposition or Position?

Looking out into our classrooms, we see many eyes looking back. All of these individuals will continue to grow and develop to determine the roles, places, and positions they will take in the corner of the world they decide to fill.

Does it matter the position they take or the disposition they have as they serve in those roles? As a leader does it matter the disposition or the position you have?


“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”—Winston Churchill


Orchestrating and Conducting

One of the very first things we need to clarify is the fact that gaining a title or position as a leader does not make you a leader. Many have gained the position but do not have the disposition to claim the responsibilities needed to orchestrate or conduct the actions, words, thoughts, and trust in giving the best to others.

Leaders are the conductors of a grand orchestra playing the most refined music tuned to the perfect pitch when all is aligned. How can we help each other with our performance? We know we can expect to miss a few notes, have something out of tune, and maybe a few will miss out on delivering on the “perfect performance.” However, we face each day as a dress rehearsal, but in reality, it is our live performance with plenty of critics watching to pass judgment.

Again, how can we help each other with our performance? If we know, the world we face is full of critics ready to judge, why do we begin to perform?


Disposition-Composer/Conduct-Tune

The music reflects the time, shapes cultures and societies worldwide, and is passed down through generations. It has the power to inspire change, improve mood, and change perceptions. As we listen to music from different points of time, we may not feel its effects immediately, but when looking back, we can see social issues reflected.

The rhythm and tones of the music set the mood as the composer writes the notes and lyrics are added. Leaders do the same things as they set the tones of the rhythm in the way they lead and the words they choose to use.

First note:  Compose the words you use in a positive tone to orchestrate beliefs, values, commitments, and results.

Once the rhythm is in place, the waves of the positive notes fill the air. The noise level of out-of-tune instruments can quickly be identified, and care is sent to support the needs. Many ways are needed to handle an out-of-tune instrument, as all are unique. Having an action plan to constantly check on tuning up instruments is the best way.

Second note:  Establish a plan to check in on all instruments weekly.  Personal interactions help to understand the music.  How we choose to interpret directly influences our beliefs, values, and actions.  We need to make sure we are all playing the same music.

A Final Note &#

A leader is great when they have the disposition to conducting themselves by giving the best of themselves to those performing. The three instruments a leader need is:

  • Ears
  • Mouth
  • Heart

EARS- Listen to the words you say to yourself. Choose the view, check your focus and control the input you have. Catch the negativity in the thoughts you hear and turn them off. Talk yourself up! Listen to others to help them tune up their positive notes as well.

MOUTH- Speak with words of truth and strength but to a tune to orchestrate positive sounds and emotions. Judgments and critics are sounds that fall flat on the scale. Build confidence with the words you use and inspire others to apply the same to their instruments as well.

HEART- Feel the sounds of the music around you. It is the song being played we know by instruments out of tune in need for the composer to help shape the notes into the sound they need. The rhythm for our corner of the world is in condition, but it is more than just our musical section. If we can ask the right questions, listen with our ears and feel the notes with our heart, the musical wisdom will provide a new sound.


  • You can control your thoughts, actions, and response.
  • A positive attitude will equal a positive impact.
  • Give the best of yourself to receive the best in return.
  • Tune up, or people will tune out!
  • We become what we think.
  • Actions make results.
  • The choice is always yours to make; choose wisely.
  • What you do today reflects your past, describes your present and predicts your future. Let’s start doing it!

The answer

Does it matter the position they take or the disposition they have as they serve in those roles? As a leader, does it matter the disposition or position you have?

I believe if I am going to dance to the music being played, I need partners. Music with just one sound, one note, and one instrument is not complete. As a team, we must work together to orchestrate the sounds of perfect harmony. The disposition is more important than the position; if we cannot work together, we will always be out of tune.

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