After 50 years of service, Michael Leckrone, director of University of Wisconsin Marching Band, will be retiring this spring. Leckrone used a variety of project management tools and practices throughout his distinguished career to manage the band’s 300 members and 50 support staff. They put together more than a dozen Big Ten halftime shows each season. What is the secret to building trust and authority? Alexander Laufer, the late author of seven books about project management, spoke with Leckrone about his leadership style. This article summarizes some of the most important practices, based on Laufer’s interviews.
The Show Must Go On
Leckrone is first and foremost a dedicated performer. He has never been content with delivering the same show every week. He has always opted to create a completely new performance for every game, with unique musical arrangements, on-the-field choreography, and a clear project goal. Leckrone says, “You must learn a 10- to 11-minute pregame show from scratch. You must also learn a halftime show that is 8-10 minutes long from scratch. All this must be accomplished in eight hours of rehearsal. “The band is eager to please the 80,000 fans on game day and has 100% buy-in to achieve this goal. They also have the cooperation and coordination required to accomplish it.
Doing more
The pressure is on to perform well, with practice in sun, rain, snow. Leckrone is a strict disciplinarian. Leckrone demands precision in music and movement. Every season, students must apply for a spot in the band. Leckrone says, “We make it very clear that if you were in band the previous year, there is no guarantee you will get a spot. Leckrone says that the first practices prior to the start of the academic year were “arduous enough” that they understand that this is an expectation. They will have to work hard throughout the year. Leckrone is known for his hard encouragement. He likes to say, “If it were easy, anyone could do it.” He encourages his band members to put on a show that is perfect and reminds them that excellence requires focus and energy. His other mantras are quickly ingrained in the band members: “The will not succeed is nothing without a will to prepare,” “You can’t quit if you’re tired,” and “Pain may be temporary, but pride will last forever.” After graduating, band members often write to Leckrone to say, “One thing you taught me is that we are capable of doing more than what we thought.” ”
Fatherly Leadership
Leckrone pushes them to excellence but also makes sure to make connections with his team. He knows their names by the end of the first week. He makes sure they all know one another. Sometimes he’ll stop a rehearsal to ask random band members if they know anyone. He will ask them if they know their names, and if they don’t, he will tell them, “Well, you better learn their names, because you’re going to depend upon that person.” This person will help you if it’s needed. If you don’t know their names, you won’t be able to say, “AoHey Joe. Where do we go next?” “Leckrone also knows that success must be acknowledged as much as failure. Long-term success is more motivating that fallin.
