Publications
Publications
- April 2025
- HBS Case Collection
Giving Up on a Passion: Elizabeth Rowe at the Boston Symphony Orchestra
By: Jon M. Jachimowicz, Maisie Wiltshire-Gordon and Alexis Lefort
Abstract
For 20 years, Elizabeth Rowe was a world-renowned principal flutist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. But in 2024, Rowe decided to leave her position to pursue a new full-time career as a leadership coach. At 50, Rowe was well under the typical retirement age, and, by all accounts, playing more beautifully than ever. But she had begun developing her coaching practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was excited by the growth and human connection that the work offered her. The case explores the factors that led Rowe to make such an unconventional decision, describing her musical formation, her time at the BSO, and the process of launching a coaching practice.
Keywords
Arts; Small Business; Social Media; Cost vs Benefits; Decision Choices and Conditions; Decisions; Learning; Music Entertainment; Values and Beliefs; Creativity; Happiness; Identity; Interests; Satisfaction; Motivation and Incentives; Prejudice and Bias; Reputation; Culture; Resignation and Termination; Personal Development and Career; Consulting Industry; Fine Arts Industry; Music Industry; United States
Citation
Jachimowicz, Jon M., Maisie Wiltshire-Gordon, and Alexis Lefort. "Giving Up on a Passion: Elizabeth Rowe at the Boston Symphony Orchestra." Harvard Business School Case 425-037, April 2025.