At a concert, the most relaxed-looking person often seems to be the conductor. They don't play a single note or touch an instrument, yet they receive all the flowers during the curtain call. Many people think, 'I could do that too.' However, the most important part of conducting isn't just waving a baton. Its primary role is to unify a hundred top-tier musicians. In an orchestra of 50 to 100 people, everyone has their own interpretation of the music. The conductor's job is to synchronize their collective will.
Interestingly, in world-class orchestras, musicians sometimes ignore the conductor entirely. Why? Because these professional ensembles are highly self-governing systems. Having practiced the pieces countless times, their understanding of the rhythm and structure is internalized. Even without a conductor, these orchestras can perform at 80% capacity. When they don't look at the conductor, who do they look at? They look at the concertmaster (first violinist). There is essentially a 'shadow conductor' within the orchestra. The concertmaster is often the most important player; others subconsciously follow their bowing, breathing, and movements.
If a conductor lacks skill, has unclear gestures, or keeps an unsteady tempo, the musicians will decide that following the conductor makes things more chaotic. So, they revert to following the concertmaster. In cases where an inexperienced patron or 'guest' is allowed to conduct, the orchestra often plays on its own, completely ignoring the person on the podium. The conductor might be dancing around, but the band is playing in perfect synchronization without them. This was even true for Beethoven in his later years; when he was deaf, he would still conduct, but the orchestra would be long finished while he was still 'dancing' to a part of the music he couldn't hear. Therefore, a conductor must shake hands with the concertmaster upon entering the stage—the concertmaster is the spokesperson for the orchestra. The conductor doesn't need to control a hundred people; they only need to ensure the concertmaster understands their vision, and the rest will subconsciously follow.
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