API governance is essential for a modern API strategy, emphasizing the pillars of consistency, quality, and security to enhance an organization's API practices. Effective governance requires intentional alignment and investment from technical leaders to ensure long-term success, addressing key areas like common language, tooling, and standards. Successful API governance is often associated with strong DevOps practices, fostering an environment where APIs can continuously evolve and meet business needs. Security is bolstered through tools like linting to ensure compliance with organizational standards, and internal adoption is critical, necessitating time, skill, and knowledge investment. Building a strong API culture involves training and integrating expertise into the existing landscape, recognizing APIs as products that require proper resourcing and prioritization. Cultivating expertise within teams is vital, as is ongoing support and training through resources like books, online learning, and industry events. A sustainable API governance approach focuses on value creation, understanding that effective practices are often subtle yet impactful, similar to an accompanist's role.