A short research publication about how leaders influence the implementation of strategic initiatives and the value of alignment between multiple layers of leaders. Research has confirmed that leader behavior influences group and organizational behavior, but we know less about how senior leaders ensure that group and organizational members implement their decisions. Most organizations have multiple layers of leaders, implying that any single leader does not lead in isolation. We focused on how the consistency of leadership effectiveness across … [Read more...]
An Optimist’s Tour of the Future
As arts organizations face an increasing number of challenges, it might help us all to lighten the load by “unlearning” some things – Matt Ridley sketches out what a few of those things might be. Matt Ridley on An Optimist's Tour of the Future - WSJ.com. … [Read more...]
Outcome vs Process Oriented Thinking
Recently, I had cause to dig through some research on outcome vs process based thinking and decision making. The research is primarily in consumer behavior; however, it has a broader application. It provides another way of thinking about or classifying communication styles. And, it gives us an opportunity to examine our own thought processes and ways of communicating. So, for those of us who are still trying to figure out why we get option stress or move quickly to decisions that appear to our staff and/or board as unexpected leaps, I offer … [Read more...]
The Lowdown on Arts Downloading
Further adventures in the arts - online and in HD. Not the digital arts, but the performing arts. Is your organization making its performances available outside your 'regular' venues? Do you think this will bring new audiences into your venue...or just let them see your work from afar? The Lowdown on Arts Downloading - WSJ.com. … [Read more...]
To Curate
An interesting reflection on the growing use - and importance - of the word "curate" in a time when people are increasingly overwhelmed by information. How does your organization help people cut through the noise and enable conversations and relations? To Curate | THE WORLD QUESTION CENTER 2011. … [Read more...]
The price behind the choices we make
This piece from last week's Marketplace is good food for thought given the increasing competition for audiences' time and money. It's an interview with Eduardo Porter, who has written a book "The Price of Everything." The interview and book excerpt serve as a nice reminder that price is actually a transaction. As Porter puts it, "There is a buyer who values something and a seller who will be willing to make that transaction at that given price or not." The price behind the choices we make | Marketplace From American Public Media. … [Read more...]
Should cultural institutions be in the business of “romance” or “precision”? Ask your newcomers
Here's an interesting post from Peter Linett's blog in which he discusses the presumption of most cultural institutions that "if you’ve shown up, you’re already interested in this content." He asks if we shouldn't design experiences for our newcomers as well and references Alfred North Whitehead's 1916 essay, The Aims of Education, which posits that learning naturally proceeds in three stages: romance, precision and generalization. What about your organization? Are you in the business of romance or precision? Should cultural institutions be in … [Read more...]
Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science
His model predicted, in different fields of medical research, rates of wrongness roughly corresponding to the observed rates at which findings were later convincingly refuted: 80 percent of non-randomized studies (by far the most common type) turn out to be wrong, as do 25 percent of supposedly gold-standard randomized trials, and as much as 10 percent of the platinum-standard large randomized trials. These were challenging facts for me, as a deep believer in science and rigorous research. It's worth considering the meaning of these findings … [Read more...]
Rework
I have a tall stack of books at home, all of which I am in the process of reading (yes, I am one of those people). I choose to start and stop a book based on topic and sometimes the number of pages and size of type. Recently, I picked up one of the books in my stack – Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (the founders of 37 Signals who brought us Basecamp, Ruby on the Rails, and Backpack). This book encapsulates about five times its volume in management theory and it is fun to read. I read it cover to cover in a very short span … [Read more...]
Why Can’t Kmart Be Successful While Target and Walmart Thrive?
What can arts organizations learn from the successes and failures of these three discount retailers? This conversation stresses the importance of knowing what you do well and clearly articulating created value to customers. Why Can't Kmart Be Successful While Target and Walmart Thrive? … [Read more...]
Time to lose control
An interesting piece in The Art Newspaper on art museums' recalcitrance - as a field - in embracing all things digital. This reluctance is ascribed in part to museums' inherent conservatism and object-oriented practice. Not a Cassandra, the author's tone is hopeful and catalogs progress made by several museums and commercial galleries. Museums have a long history of exercising total command over their content. That’s over. “Museums in the future will still be reliable sources of information, and a curator will continue to be the authority on a … [Read more...]
Ditch Performance Reviews? How About Learn to do Them Well?
This article highlights some of the challenges to productive performance reviews as well as suggestions for how to overcome them. Do these map onto your experiences with performance reviews? Do you have other suggestions for how to make them less frustrating and more valuable? Ditch Performance Reviews? How About Learn to do Them Well? - Harvard Business Review. … [Read more...]
We Make Do: More Time Is Better, But Budget Is King
Space is a critical resource for many artists and arts organizations. Given the challenges facing both those who have facilities and those who want access to facilities, are there opportunities for communities to work together to overcome these challenges? This report examines the needs and availability of dance rehearsal space in New York, but includes valuable insights for anyone interested in community-wide solutions to infrastructure challenges. We Make Do: More Time Is Better, But Budget Is King — The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. … [Read more...]
Managing Under Complexity: Where is Einstein When You Really Need Him?
This article covers a lot of ground in a short space including how we think about -- for better or worse -- complex situations and provides an interesting frame to think about how our organizational designs might or might not be best suited to our missions. Managing Under Complexity: Where is Einstein When You Really Need Him? - Ivey Business Journal. … [Read more...]
Why Can’t Big Companies Solve Big Problems?
Organizations - and society - face complicated problems that require nuanced solutions. Hybrid thinking crosses traditional boundaries and enables ideas to mix together to create innovative solutions to those problems. The question is, how do you enable that type of flexible thinking in your organization? Why Can't Big Companies Solve Big Problems? | Co.Design. … [Read more...]