The Maestro Effect: Unlocking Brilliance in Others

Guest blog by Susan Heaton-Wright

Think back to a moment when someone truly saw you. Not just your job title or your performance, but your potential. Maybe it was a teacher who told you that you had something special. Or a manager who gave you a stretch assignment because they believed you could handle it—even if you weren’t sure yourself.

Think back. Who was that person for you? A teacher, a boss, a mentor who didn’t just give you tasks, but gave you belief. Perhaps it was a chance remark “You’re really good at this; you should do more of it”, or “I believe you could present at the local business event”, where you have had the opportunity to shine. That person has seeded the possibility that you could do something amazing.

That person was your maestro or maestra. We all have someone who has seen your potential – and crucially, told you. And how powerful it was to you.

In music, a maestro is more than a conductor. They lead not by overpowering, but by drawing out everyone’s talent and creating something greater than the sum of its parts. And in business—especially when you’re growing a team or scaling a company—you have the same opportunity.

In my TEDx Talk, The Maestro Effect: Unlocking Brilliance in Others, I explore how we all have the power to become that person for someone else. As founders and leaders, you already wear many hats. But one of the most powerful roles you can step into is that of a maestro—someone who creates the conditions for others to shine.

This doesn’t mean constantly pushing or micromanaging. It means recognising that confidence and contribution are often sparked by belief. When people feel seen, valued, and trusted, they rise. They take initiative. They grow into leaders themselves.

But here’s the challenge for many leaders and managers: in the rush to deliver, develop, and drive sales, we can forget to tune in to our people. Yet they could be our most valuable asset. We could develop our team so they are confident to step up and for you to delegate more to them, freeing up your time.

Maybe your brilliant assistant is ready for a client-facing role. Possibly your shy marketing executive just needs encouragement to share her ideas. Or perhaps someone in your team is quietly solving problems you haven’t even noticed—because they haven’t been asked to step up. And in every case these people could take some of the load from you:  you could delegate more to them.

Becoming a maestro leader or colleague means asking:

• Who around me has untapped potential?
• What am I doing to unlock it?
• And… who might be waiting for me to see them?

Of course, we all have moments of self-doubt. But just as someone once believed in you, you now could become that kind of catalyst for someone else.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to show up with intentionality, curiosity, and the willingness to invest in others.

The Maestro Effect doesn’t just make your team better—it makes your business stronger. Confidence builds capacity. Empowered teams take ownership. And when your people grow, so does your business.

So as you read this, I invite you to do two things:

1. Watch the TEDx Talk. It is a chance moment when someone saw potential in me, resulting in me changing my perspective on life with remarkable results.
2. Take five minutes today to tell someone on your team what you see in them. Be specific. Be generous. You might be surprised by what happens next.

We often think of brilliance as something rare. But often, it just needs the right conditions to emerge. Be the person who creates those conditions.

Be the maestro or maestra. Embrace the Maestro Effect.

About Susan:

Susan Heaton-Wright is an international speaker, presentation skills expert, and the founder of SuperStar Communicator™, a consultancy dedicated to empowering professionals to make a positive impact in every business conversation. A TEDx speaker and award-winning former opera singer, Susan draws on her unique performance background to help individuals and teams communicate with confidence, clarity, and influence.

With extensive experience delivering training and masterclasses to global organisations, Susan specialises in equipping professionals with practical tools to enhance their presence, structure compelling messages, and engage their audiences effectively. In addition to her consultancy work, she is a board member and Leadership Launch Leader for the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, demonstrating her credibility as a senior leader and mentor.

A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Independent Society of Musicians, Susan regularly speaks at conferences and leadership events, sharing insights on high-impact communication and personal presence.

Check out her website: www.superstarcommunicator.com

Follow her on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanheatonwright