Human Capital

One of the reasons arts organizations struggle is that they ignore the finite resource that is human capital.

You only have so many people.

They only have so much time to give.

Each tactic, each task you add to somebody's life cuts into their finite resources.

Too often we add to people's workload without considering the impact it could have on them.

Instead of removing a task for every one we add, we just keep piling it on.

Because the people we work with love us and our mission, they keep trying to keep up.

Until they can't.

--------------------------------

Every industry has their culture.

I'm always concerned that for way too many arts organization, a key component of their culture is burnout.

Give people too much.  Work them too hard.  Replace them once they are gone.

Are the arts really so all consuming, so complex that we think it's acceptable to give people who are working 20 hours 40 hours worth of work?

Here's what I want you to consider this weekend:

As a leader, one of your key responsibilities is to take care of your people.

You must guard your human capital.

Sure, you would hope that if people are overwhelmed they would tell you.  But that doesn't always happen.  In fact, it has been my experience that it RARELY happens.

People don't want to let you down.

They don't want to tell you that they are tired.

So it's your responsibility to look out for them.

Sometimes, you have to give them permission to be tired.  Permission to take a break.

The arts are a beautiful, beautiful thing.

But sometimes the price we ask people to pay for it is way too high.

Take care of your people.

 

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1357227599]

I posted this one for my colleagues. It's a keeper, and certainly something to think about.

[Paul]

Amen, Adam. Amen.