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Showing posts from September, 2021

Learning From Adversity (or, Acquiring A Skill Set I Never Thought I Would)

  As Executive Leadership we are often expected to “have all the answers.” We are the miracle workers, ego massagers and cajolers often tasked with challenging our worlds by coming up with solutions to what may seem like insurmountable obstacles. Our worst nightmare is coming to the conclusion that the best course is to “fail” as it is perceived by the outside world. Sometimes the answers aren’t what we’d hoped for. As founding Executive Director of 10 Hairy Legs dance company this is what I faced during the COVID pandemic. The shutdown in March 2020 ended all of our earned revenue and special event income for the remainder of the season on June 30, including our all important New York season. There was widespread fear and panic among stakeholders that reflected their own personal uncertainties related to the pandemic yet initially they were committed to our survival. We did have some funds in the bank but went into preservation mode, stopping all pay to artists and staff as of April