Author: MAÔ

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Henry Stanley Haskins

Haskins observed this in the 1940 work Meditations in Wall Street. The book itself is surprisingly difficult to find, but the sentiment, and others contained therein, remain true – as far as aphorisms can go.

The capabilities possessed in each of us can bring us out of circumstance, can propel us into future endeavors and successes. But first, you must acknowledge that capability and, secondly, perhaps most importantly, you must not be afraid to use it.

There was a time when all you needed to succeed was a handshake and a smile. Or, so they say. But the way of the world now is data. 

I recently rewatched Moneyball, the 2011 film starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill. It depicts the Oakland A’s 2002 season, which manager Bille Beane based largely on statistical analysis vs. traditional roster-building. Data replaced the common practice of what was seemingly gut instinct on what the players were capable of. The film was from the book of the same name, written by Michael Lewis.

Nearly all organizations currently in business perform some kind of data analysis. Sales figures vs. previous year. Inventory on-hand and shrinkage. Performance metrics and average call times. All these are important when figuring value vs. cost.

And while the numbers don’t lie, they may fail to reveal certain aspects of the human element. Even when following all the prevailing wisdom that the data can provide, you still have to make decisions based on the preferred outcome.

The prevailing thought is that political races have winners and losers. But it’s not so simple. We’re not voting for a winner at the expense of a loser – we’re selecting someone to lead based on on shared principles and values.

When the position is filled – and it will only be filled for a short time in most cases – we expect work to be completed and responsibilities upheld.

After an election we may disagree with an official’s position, but we should believe that what that person is representing will be beneficial to the whole. It isn’t about you or me. It’s about us.

One breakdown I’ve seen of leaders is into three categories: autocratic, participative, and free-reign.

In certain organizations, one may be preferable to the other. In the US Military, for instance, autocratic leadership is not only preferred, it’s in place to save lives.

But in most corporate settings, autocracy doesn’t go so well. Input from employees can shed light on problems that management may not even know exists. And that’s how those problems get addressed.

The arts are most frequently a communal experience. This is entirely true for performing arts, but even visual art enjoys an added benefit from exhibition space. Museums are designed to highlight pieces and collections, and the gallery space feels an energy from the possibility of gathering crowds, even if none are present.

The act of making art can be an individual experience or shared, but its enjoyment is almost ubiquitously communal.

In the age of a pandemic, organizations committed to offering shared experiences are facing an uncertain future.

The bright side, of course, is that at the other end of this health crisis, you can be certain that the public will resume arts-going activities. The organizations may change as a result, but there will be those committed to bettering the lives of all through the arts.

Estimates are that millions of small businesses will close as a result of the pandemic, and this includes arts organizations as well. The challenge for an organization is to survive. Recent news about Warner Bros. bringing their films to HBO Max same day as theatrical release was met with heavy criticism from theatrical venues, and some questions from filmmakers.

Producers of plays and musicals across the nation are trying to decide how to move forward, some offering public performances, others trying streaming, either newly performed or from their catalogue of prior productions. Museums have tried virtual tours and online Q&As, to name a few.

For the first time in likely a century, arts organizations are fundamentally required to innovate – the alternative is facing a closure.

Most of these posts are written ahead of time, at this point almost weeks in advance. Usually that works to my advantage, for those odd days I don’t feel like sitting down and writing, an too busy to do so, or don’t have anything to say (the latter being much more frequent than I’d like).

However, it falls short when I mistakenly schedule posts to publish on the wrong day. It happens to everyone – put the appointment on the wrong week or month. But, it certainly is something to be mindful of.

Scheduling is closely correlated to routine as well, and there are benefits to sticking with it. That said, it’s also important to be fluid – to be adaptive to change as the situation requires. Not every time will it be a simple cut and dry occasion.

Seth Godin recently posted about his own efforts against stalling. His plaque which asks him, “Are you stalling?” constantly reminds him that – yes, he probably is.

My own form of this comes from a suggestion from author Neil Gaiman. In his now famous Make Good Art commencement address, he mentions working towards “his mountain.” My own sign asks me, “Will this get me closer to my mountain?”

It’s a question of focusing on what’s most important. What projects not only yield the most return, but also which are you most excited about. You may not always get to choose, but if you do, excitement and ROI should most certainly overlap.

It’s hard to believe that there’s just about a month left in what, to many, may seem the longest year. Ever.

So where does that leave us come January 1? What does a year ahead, resolutions and all, look like when we’re leaving behind 2020, and hopefully all the frustration, heartache, and concern that came with it.

January One is no different, though, than any other day. When we wake in the morning, we have the option to make that day something special, even if only to us. So each day is a chance to start again, New Year or not.

With Thanksgiving now past, it’s important to keep a sense of gratitude going into the future. Even past the coming holidays, recalling that we are fortunate to be alive now, even given the current crises we face, is something that we should aspire to.

There is nothing that we cannot handle if we come at it together.