Confession: I've Been Playing the TUBA in the Symphony of Capitalism for Too Long

For too long, I’ve been waddling along, playing the TUBA in the symphony of capitalism.

Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with playing the tuba…

In fact, it’s an essential part of the orchestra because, without it, the music (or product) wouldn’t be complete for the audience (or customers)…

But when you zoom out, the tuba player — like all the other musicians — is not a capitalist in the big picture.

The tuba player may practice to develop his musicals skills (“human capital”), rent his time to play for the orchestra (wage labor), and enjoy the thrill of playing in front of a crowd (intangible life passion/ purpose)…

Still, he’s not a capitalist; instead he’s participating in capitalism as a worker.

What if — when he’s not playing for the orchestra — he busks solo on the street corner, entertaining paying tourists in his city with a tuba he bought himself?

While, in this case, he gets to keep all the profit, he’s still not a capitalist; he’s more of a freelancer because when he stops playing, the money stops flowing. 

Along similar lines, the composer isn’t a capitalist either…

Like the musicians, he still rents his skills & time to write music as a worker — sort of as if the orchestra had an R&D department.

Then you might think — like I did when first reflecting on this metaphor — that it’s the CONDUCTOR who’s the capitalist, right?

He’s stands at the front, waving his baton to direct the orchestra. He doesn’t play the music himself, but organizes the musical resources to ensure the happiness of the audience.

But no…

He’s more like a C-Suite Executive (or a “CMO” — Chief Music Officer)…

And so is the concert hall’s Executive Director (CEO) who’s responsible for managing the facilities, putting “butts in seats” with ticket sales, etc.

People in these roles might enjoy more prestige & pay…

But still, they’re both workers.

The true capitalists?

The board of trustees and major patrons/ donors of the symphony.

Through a somewhat complicated tax-efficient & risk-reducing structure using a non-profit and endowment (which isn’t worth getting into right now), they don’t technically own but instead CONTROL:

• The concert hall building

• The real estate

• Most of the instruments

• The decision making abilities to hire/ fire directors, conductors, composers, musicians, and staff…

So, they’re the ones actually “own” the capital needed to produce the shows…

And they passively enjoy their share of the benefits without much ongoing work/ performance.

Now, I’m going into 2026 with this metaphor in mind…

Because, while I have earned equity in companies, I still catch myself with too much of a freelancer’s mindset.

When approaching opportunties, I find myself instantly thinking about what “notes” I can play with my “tuba” (applying my marketing/ copywriting/ sales/ operational skills hands-on in the day-to-day of business) — rather than thinking bigger about serving in higher roles at the “symphony” (strategic decisions made from ownership positions).

I think it’s an ego trap many people fall into. You think it’s YOU who has to personally do everything, so that it’s done “the right way.” 

But since it’s impossible to do everything, things fall through the cracks, projects get left undone, and progress halts.

Or maybe it’s a moral trap. You think, “If I don’t feel exhausted from working hard, then I’m not a good person and I don’t deserve wealth.”

But hard work does NOT equal results, and it’s often those with a capitalist mindset who do the most good because they provide jobs and make the delivery of goods and services more efficient for the economy.

So overall, it makes more sense to hire, train, or partner with others who can do things nearly as good as (or better than) you.

This way, growth for everyone can happen.

I’m realizing that without embracing this ownership mindset — and leaving the freelancer mindset behind — it’s easy too fool yourself about being a capitalist when you’re really just a participant in capitalism.

2026 is the time to think and operate differently.

Michael McGovern

The Wildman Path

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