It's all at the top

I got a lot of emails after my open letter a few days back.

One asked me how they could:  "Really know if the organization I'm working at is in trouble?"

I could tell you to keep a close eye on the financial statements your group roles out, or what for declines in program quality . . . but all you really need is this:

Look at the top.

Executive Leadership, Artistic Leadership, Board Leadership.

It's not just whether those three leaders are "strong."  It's about how they interact with eachother.

Do they share information with each other freely and frequently?

Does it seem like they trust each other?

Do they appear to be on the same page, at least most of the time?

If you can answer yes to those sorts of questions, then you are probably at a place where you can ride out a storm.

If you answer no, "or aren't sure", start putting that one year "Change or Out" plan in action, just in case.