“There is a real reason for getting to know the people you’re working with.” Surry Scheerer, executive coach and lecturer at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and Ford School of Public Policy, suggests that leaders and their organizations take a more mindful approach to building and supporting teams. Sheerer emphasizes the importance of team building whether your team exists in a conference room or through virtual means. How do personal values influence teamwork? Do you know what your colleagues value most? Tell us in … [Read more...]
Constructive Conflict
Jeff DeGraff, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, expands on the Competing Values Framework, sharing how the creation of constructive conflict allows for internal innovation. How do you see constructive conflict in your own values? Do you see this between your personal values and that of your organization? Tell us in the comments section or at #ValuesNAS. … [Read more...]
Cooking, peaches and tasting the arts
My mother hates fruit. She also hates vegetables. That is, unless they are covered in bleu cheese and bacon. For these reasons, I grew up in a house where steamed broccoli covered in Velveeta or garlic mashed potatoes were served alongside our steak or ribs. My father would often say that my siblings and I were going to grow up with the worst eating habits. Today, my mother often laughs at this statement when she reflects on the way things turned out. I am a product of the slow food movement. Kind of. Maybe Diane just makes … [Read more...]
What is the place of cultural institutions within their communities?
NAS produces publications, videos and other management tools to inspire those working in the field to take a fresh look at their work and the challenges they face. Over the last few years we have amassed quite a large catalog of content. We’ve sent NAS staff members into the archives to pick their favorites and share them here. This week NAS' Program Coordinator, Taylor Craig and Josh Miller, Executive Assistant share their reactions to one of their favorite videos. Place Becomes Identity By Taylor Craig Tisa Ho, Executive … [Read more...]
If Our Value Were Self-Evident Would We Need Advocates?
You cannot talk about arts advocacy without bringing up the instrumental value of the arts. Rule #1 of advocacy or any kind of relationship building is: know your audience. And when you're talking to politicians and policy-makers, the instrumental value carries the day. But, what about the intrinsic value of the arts? In our field we often shy away from talking about this. It is somehow seen as less serious, but if you are truly looking to connect with someone on the value of the arts there is no better way. In this video former Director … [Read more...]
Your Museum as an Essential Community Space
NAS produces publications, videos and other management tools to inspire those working in the field to take a fresh look at their work and the challenges they face. Over the last few years we have amassed quite a large catalog of content. We’ve sent NAS staff members into the archives to pick their favorites and share them here. This week NAS’ Program and Accounting Coordinator, Pearl Bickersteth, shares one of her favorite NAS videos. Museums are often thought of as places for quiet, introspective, cultural learning experiences. Nina Simon, … [Read more...]
RSA Animate – extraordinary ’21st century enlightenment’
From the RSA in London, a gaggle of animated videos from their public events series. Absolutely worth ten minutes whenever you need to step back from things for a bit. RSA Animate Videos If you don't know the RSA: Building on the RSA's 250 year history as a beacon for enlightenment values, our events promote new ways of thinking about human fulfillment, capability and progress, and address key contemporary issues from the fields of education, science, … [Read more...]
Creating a Customer-Centric Business
Professor Ranjay Gulati of Harvard Business School discusses how organizations can become more customer (or audience)-centric and why this is a critical time for them to do so. YouTube - Creating a Customer-Centric Business. … [Read more...]
Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us
A fascinating animated talk by Daniel Pink about the surprising things that do (and don't) motivate people. What have you observed or experienced? How do you motivate your colleagues? Watch "Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us" … [Read more...]
Video: Diane Ragsdale on Surviving the Cultural Change (Version 4.0)
This video is of Diane Ragsdale's keynote "Surviving the Cultural Change (Version 4.0)" at the Arts Alliance Illinois Members' Meeting on June 21, 2010. In this speech she challenges arts organizations to adapt to the cultural changes that have been taking place. Which of Diane's suggestions resonate with you? What are you doing (or going to do) to adapt to the cultural changes taking place? Watch Diane Ragsdale on Surviving the Cultural Change (Version 4.0). … [Read more...]
YouTube – Engineering Design – The Kano Diagram
This is a quick video outlining the relationship between customer satisfaction and product design. As a designer/facilitator of programs, I have found the Kano Diagram useful when thinking through what features matter most to a constituency and, in turn, establishing a priority for my time and a guide for others in the development and running of programs and services. The process can be useful as part of an evaluative framework applied to programs that have been running for a while -- are they still relevant to the field and are we still … [Read more...]
Start With Why, Simon Sinek
I recently heard Simon speak at a Dance NYC conference, and his book is as good a review of the importance of mission (although that's not what it is about) as any I have ever read. You can watch him on TEDx and get a taste of his thinking. Start With Why, Simon Sinek. … [Read more...]