You might have seniority on the crew, but you might not be right about everything.
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The opinions expressed are mine only. These opinions do not necessarily reflect anybody else’s opinions. I do not own, operate, manage, or represent any band, venue, or company that I talk about, unless explicitly noted.
Want to use this image for something else? Great! Click it for the link to a high-res or resolution-independent version. Original photo is a CC0 found at Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/en/fairground-lights-amusement-park-1149626/A Sergeant In Motion Outranks A Lieutenant Who Doesn’t Know What’s Going On
It’s not uncommon that I’m a part of a show crew where a person who’s technically “junior” to me ends up being the smartest person in the room. They’ll notice something I don’t, or come to a problem with a fresh set of assumptions, and advise me on a better course of action.
When I’m being smart, I listen.
Essentially arbitrary measures of authority, that is, decision-making power, aren’t always helpful in the churning, kinetic fluid that we call concert production. They do have their place, of course. I definitely find it best when there’s a singular vision for overall planning, and when you have a person where the buck very certainly stops. A crew on a gig ought to have someone available who can and will say, “This is what we’re doing” when it becomes necessary to say that.
…but to assume that the higher-ranking human is always right, no matter what, in all times and circumstances, is shortsighted. If another production professional who’s farther down the authority-tree can’t say that the right way to execute might be something different, you have a problem. Further, when things are going badly, the crew member who’s clued into the snafu and taking action is the guy or girl to be listening to. An oblivious person higher up the chain can’t do much for you, and a show in progress is all about NOW. When monitor-world is melting down or FOH just stopped behaving, the crewmember ready to act and rectify the situation doesn’t need to get permission.
When a short-timer talks, you should perk up your ears. If they’re wrong, you can explain what they’ve missed, and if they’re right, you can benefit from their insight. Also, don’t forget that “short-timer compared to you” doesn’t necessarily mean that you automatically know more or have greater wisdom about any particular thing. The person teaching you all about that new console might be a decade behind you – and they might know everything there is to know about how to operate that monstrosity, because that’s where they’ve spent their time. Pay attention.