We hear a lot about Pres. Obama using his "capital" on the health care debate.
This idea of capital is an interesting one.
It serves as a reminder that there is only so much change an individual can make happen at one time.
So you have to pick your battles wisely.
That's something I think about when I see a person in an arts organization (either on the artistic or the business side) who feels like every battle must be fought to the bitter end.
Every battle over artistic choice must be won.
Every battle over the allotment of finances must be won.
You get the idea.
What those people forget is that every battle uses up capital.
Everytime that person declares that something "must happen now", they reduce their ability to make something (probably more important) happen in the future.
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We talk a lot in the nonprofit sector about Founder's Syndrome, the idea that an organization is being held back by its founding leadership.
When I see those sorts of situations I see founders that have burned up all their capital.
They asked for too much and gave too little in return.
Now they don't have the power to make things happen . . . only the power to STOP things from happening.
It's a sad thing, but avoidable.
Protect your capital.
Lose an argument every once in a while, even if you think you can win it.
Because there is nothing worse then a short term win that leads to a long term loss.
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