IN THE ABSENCE OF LEADERSHIP

In the absence of leadership, you can see whether a team is truly committed, not only to the organization and the leader’s vision, but to fostering an environment where teamwork thrives. 

When the leader is away, you'll find out:
1. who will stay on task, and who wastes time

2. who isolates themselves, and who engages fellow team members.

3. who has aspirations to be the leader, themselves, and who demonstrates leadership qualities without even trying.

4. who is consulted for accurate information, advice, or help, and who is ignored.

5. who’s competent, self-motivated, and genuine, and who’s opportunistic, needs supervision, mines others for information, and is prone to making mistakes.

6. who works for the good of all, and who sabotages progress

7. who talks a good game, and who produces results

8. who’s conscientious, and who’s careless or overzealous

9. who goes the extra mile, and who works to the rule

10. who’s on a career path, and who just needs a job

11. who has good ideas, and who takes credit for the ideas of others

12. who respects the leader, and who resents, or is in competition with him or her

#whenthecatsaway

MONDAY THOUGHTS" BECAUSE YOU WANT TO

Today, I just finished a set of paintings of someone I really admired, for someone who is nothing if not consistent, delightful, and brutally honest. 

I realized that, these days, if I’m doing something, interacting with someone, agreeing to it, going somewhere, or saying “Yes”, it’s because I want to. 

I suppose I’m on a peace-preservation, find-the-Joy, no drama mission. 

It’s awesome.

You could half-step, work to the rule, be mediocre, or half-hearted, but when it comes to the things you realize you’re doing because you want to, your whole self is energized. 

Things you want to do, inspire and challenge you in positive ways. 

You find yourself in “heartily as unto the Lord” mode. 

You get it done, happily, knowing you’ve done your best— and in record time.

#whatsnext

#artmatters

#arthelps 

MONDAY THOUGHTS: KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS

I thought, as I watched the praise dancer’s jerky, bizarre gyrations, “You can’t TELL her she isn’t Judith Jamison.” 

The words “fit” and “conniption” came to mind, too. 

I think she expected applause. 

She certainly was using everything in her flailing arsenal— including an Elaine Benes/Cliff Huxtable-esque dance move. 

Was THIS the “crazy praise” the Bible foretold, or just more of the foolishness that bombards our phone and computer screens?

Everyone watching seemed perplexed, horrified, and amused. Why was the spectacle even allowed? 

Had the bride and groom been ambushed? 

Was the “dancer” a relative? 

Was it a thoughtless joke? 

Had the couple lost a bet? 

Was an actual dancer in attendance, who would have brought the dignity the ceremony deserved? 

What goes undone or horribly awry, when we don’t allow wisdom to prevail, and abandon what we’re actually GOOD at, in favor of what someone else does?

People are deciding they have particular skills, insisting that those skills be visited upon others, and wondering why few are applauding.

Sometimes the frustration from the tepid responses (or laughter) is a result of coveting the skill of others, and deluding oneself into thinking one actually possesses equal, or greater skill—and a RIGHT to demonstrate it. 

“I can do that, too!” may be a positive affirmation, but is it true only in your own mind? 

Why not be honest? 

Why not confess, 

“I want to do that. I WISH I could do that, but only if I can do that WELL.” 

Platforms are everywhere. 

You can even pay to play— which is what many resort to when desired doors don’t, or won’t allow access. 

Someone will always put you on, but is it to promote what you do well, take your money, or ridicule what you do poorly—and then profit from your humiliation? 

Every day, social media gives us all a good laugh at the expense of those whose sheer nerve and delusion are eclipsing their better judgment. 

Even church services are sources of comedic, and embarrassing entertainment these days. 

So many organizations fail to assess their readiness, or monitor the quality of their own output. They employ irresponsible camera persons, and we get to see as one person after another butchers a song, mangles a sermon, or loses their footing as they’re hamming it up for the cameras. 

Yes. Art is subjective, but I digress...

It’s okay to defer to those who actually know what they’re doing. 

Don’t be so blinded by the shine you think someone else is getting (for what they can actually do), that you foray into lanes in which you cannot effectively maneuver. 

Sometimes we don’t want to admit it, but better DOES exist. It’s a shame to dismiss it in favor of mediocrity that makes a mockery of what’s sacred, brings judgment (and sanity) into question, and encourages MORE mediocrity. 

Don’t minimize or ignore your own strengths by chasing the strengths of others. 

Acknowledge the time, energy, effort, skill, and even anointing, that is the foundation of the good, the relevant, and the excellent. 

Exercise that muscle that allows you to find and encourage the good outside of yourself. 

Applaud and celebrate all things well done, and don’t lie about mediocrity— even your own. 

The heart, I’ve read, is desperately wicked. “From the heart” might not be the great and humble defense that one thinks it is. Perhaps that heart, full of envy, jealousy, and covetousness, is the primary producer of the ridiculousness and mediocrity we now experience, allow, and endure, in places where it doesn’t have to exist.

SUNDAY THOUGHTS: POETRY PROMPT—Lessons Learned

LESSONS 

Drama-filled, can’t abide Drama-free

Busy, can’t stand Content

Nosy is livid because you care less

What you said, is what you meant

Trouble, is troubled that you don’t fret

Worry, wants you to weep

Inconsiderate, expects you to pick up every cross

So you, too, can lose focus and sleep.

Controlling, goes ape when you hold your own reins

Needy, hates your other friends

Bossy thinks its way should always be yours

Messy, prays conflicts don’t end

Competitive, can’t safely run its own race

For looking to see where you are

Bully shows up to intimidate

Critic, will deduct a star

Insecure, expects you to shrink and play dumb

Relegates you to one lane

Envy throws enough shade to block out the Sun

Hate, hopes you’ll never shine again.

The joy is, Discernment exposes them all

Lets you see all that you need to see

So that you can maneuver the ditches and darts

And sail safely to victory.

VRWc2019

QUALITY

It’s been said, “You get what you pay for”. Every now and then, either through luck or grace, you get quality that far exceeds what you had to, or chose to spend. Don’t take that good fortune for granted. Don’t get cocky. Don’t mishandle or take advantage of quality. It is fully aware of its worth, and so are honest observers. 
There’s integrity in a thing of quality that will not dumb down or debase itself. It won’t refuse to function effectively just because you’re cheap, or delight in gloating about what you can, or could get for little or nothing. 
Appreciation goes a long way—and that’s not to be confused with “blowing smoke”. If it’s quality you really want, when you get it, or want to experience it again, value it. If you choose not to, don’t be perplexed or mad when it’s gone. 
Don’t exhaust the quality people and things in your life by being deliberately oblivious to their worth.

A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER

The TV was providing background noise while I was painting. 

I perked up when I heard, “We’re hardwired to see things move suddenly—situational awareness”.

I laughed because I was reminded of two annoying experiences that were far from funny while they were happening. 

Situational awareness”, huh?  

Perhaps a few event photographers should read up on that.

Memorializing events is nothing new. I know the task of capturing moments can be done stealthily and excellently. I’ve experienced it: Katherine Gilraine, Jarvis Grant, Charles Watkins, Ronald Beverly, Roy Lewis… 

Is there a new phenomena of just plain busyness, inconsideration, and annoyance? I’m not talking about paparazzi. That’s a whole ‘nother potentially dangerous animal. I’m talking about the person actually tasked to photograph an event being as subtle as a bull in a china shop.

No matter where he or she may be, a good photographer knows how to get the shot(s) without being a pest, hindrance, bully, distraction, nuisance, showboat, threat to health and safety, or an imposition. 

A good photographer is mindful of his or her equipment, too, and how its mechanisms will impact the atmosphere. 

The sound of a shutter isn’t more important than the sound of a speaker’s voice. Flashes are distracting  when timed poorly. 

Lights are blinding when aimed haphazardly. A photographer knows when their flash is set on solar flare. Don’t they see or CARE or see that everybody is looking away, shielding, frowning and squinting?

A good photographer is neither predator, nor boogeyman (or boogeywoman). At least a sniper knows how to get the shot without being detected; heck, a sniper even confuses people concerning the location from which the shot came!

An assassin, however, is proud; wants to be identified for carrying out the job— no matter how much disruption it causes. A good photographer is not an assassin on a mission to ridicule or annoy event attendees. What’s with all the pouncing around?

A good photographer cares about composition. 

A good photographer SEES, but doesn’t relish in BEING seen. 

A good photographer captures the essence of the action without trying to BE in the act. 

The springing into action, posing, and moving around... suddenly...LAWD!!!!! 

It’s not, nor has it ever been about the size, or expense of the equipment— or being busy stalking, roaming, or prancing about while wielding it. It’s about the result emanating from what one’s eyes observed. 

Intent. 

Motive. 

Mood.

Art.

Practically everyone now owns a camera. Everyone, however, is not a good photographer.

“I’m just doing my job” is, too often, the arrogant, misguided cry of one who is laboring under the notion that their endeavor is the principal thing, while the TRUE principal thing is an afterthought being negatively impacted by frantic movement, and thoughtless behavior. 

“I’m just doing my job” is too often the rallying cry of one who has convinced him or herself that the rights, wishes, enjoyment, viewpoint, privacy, or comfort of others don’t matter. (Do they know they have positioned themselves so that someone’s view is COMPLETELY blocked?) “I’m just doing my job” isn’t license to annoy. 

Executing your job, WHATEVER it is, should never hinder anything vital— and certainly not hinder someone else from executing his or her job. 

Don’t play when it comes to another individual’s personal space.  

There’s a school of thought that some things come along with certain territories; that inconsideration should be expected and tolerated.

One can get one’s feelings (and equipment) hurt adhering to the philosophy that others have to put up with whatever comes their way, just because they’re in a particular arena. 

When it is brought to your attention that what you’re doing is untenable, unwelcome, unreasonable, unnecessary, or uncomfortable, don’t get huffy. Don’t argue that someone else allowed or shrugged off your bothersome behavior.

Lose the attitude, and don’t even THINK about feeling entitled. 

Make adjustments. 

Back the heck up...go sit down... move... get out of the way. 

Do better. 

Be respectful. 

You can if you WANT to. 

You can STILL get the job done, if your intent is to be an asset, not an enemy; a help, not an impediment—that is, if you’re GOOD.

SUNDAY THOUGHTS: PGAAMCC

I am encouraged by the efforts of the director and staff of PGAAMCC. 

I was fortunate to have participated in the Day of Service and Culture, that coincided with the birthday of Nelson Mandela. 

Guest speakers, vendors, and presenters who’d lived, studied and worked in South Africa added credibility and authenticity to the experience.

 
Residents and friends of the museum took part in the beautification of the outdoor space, enjoyed informative presentations, created art, and shared stories, speeches, and personal experiences.

 
It was particularly wonderful to see that provisions were made for young children to learn, explore, play, and create.

 

As a child, my elementary school celebrated Black History Week. 

For a while, we thought Phyllis Wheatley, George Washington Carver, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Harriet Tubman were the only people of color who had made significant contributions to society. 

It took creative, well-read, dedicated, thoughtful, radical educators, who saw the need to supplement our woefully inadequate history books, to open our eyes to the wealth of information hiding, sometimes deliberately, in our history. 

At the museum, I saw children who have only known 2 presidents— one being Barack Obama. 

It is imperative that they not become complacent, take that for granted, or not think it’s necessary to turn back the pages and discover the truth of who and what came before. 

To see them engaged and enthusiastic about learning, in an atmosphere that is perhaps different from what they experience at school, was wonderful. 

PGAAMCC is a light and a jewel in the community. I can only imagine the impact once all Prince Georgians discover it, and recognize how they can contribute to and glean from such a potentially valuable resource.

 

Strong, responsible, invested, knowledgeable, mature, experienced, enthusiastic leadership, is the key to whether its reputation and standing in the museum community will continue to grow and thrive, or wane and remain in obscurity.