Choir Ninja, With Ryan Guth

Beth Richey-Sullivan discusses strategies for surviving the most perilous of choir director jobs: taking over a program from a rockstar. When your predecessor is both beloved and skilled, the incoming director needs “the skin of an elephant and the heart of a butterfly.” This episode is full of jaw-dropping examples that Beth culls from this past year of taking over from an adored former director. Her warmth, encouragement, and wisdom is required listening for anyone stepping into a new job. Listen: Highlight to Tweet: “You need to have the skin of an elephant, and the heart of a butterfly.” -Beth Richey-Sullivan Show Notes: Be transparent with your administration, both in your needs and expectations. You need the skin of an elephant, and the heart of a butterfly (Be tough-skinned, but tenderhearted). Beth and her husband have fostered 13 children over three years, many of whom deal with their pain with outwardly aggressive behavior. “See their behavior as their pain.” “I will treat you with respect, so that