Decisions in Uncertain Times for Iron County Today

by Sara Penny, CCAC Vice President

     How do you plan when your major source of income is in jeopardy? This is a question some of the arts organizations have to ask, as well as businesses. "In uncertain conditions, leaders need questions that expand perspective, generate new insight, and spark creativity. The right questions don’t just help you avoid missteps—they open new paths," writes Cheryl Strauss Einhorn. She suggests four questions to clarify moving forward.

     1. What decision today will still make sense a year from now? This means long term thinking instead of just a reactionary day to day approach. It can also point a path forward out of chaos. "It prioritizes resilience over quick wins and strategy over noise," said Einhorn. Some of our arts organizations may have to scale back a production because of escalating costs. Fortunately our music organizations are good at sharing printed music as it increases in cost. Fortunately our theater groups recycle and repurpose props and costumes. Seamstresses are especially valuable in making costumes rather than having to buy everything new. When you have something that you think would look great on stage that you don't need, remember that the performing groups take donations. 

     2. If a year from now this decision was used as an example of our leadership, what would it teach?  With incomplete data and uncertainty it is not always possible to plan ahead. Rethinking a crucial decision as a leadership story reframes the problem. What are we learning? What do we want others to learn? This helps focus priorities and clarifies the way forward. It is a question of values. What does our group stand for and how can we meet that mission? Several local organizations are working to provide arts opportunities for people who might not otherwise be involved in the arts. Scholarships for more children to participate in the Children's Musical Theatre and Suzuki Strings acknowledge that we are a low income county, but that the arts matter for all children. That might mean having to cut another corner, but has the value of getting more children involved.

     3. What if this isn’t the storm—what if it’s the climate? This reminds me of the quote about learning to dance in the storm. Maybe we are entering a time when we have to factor in delays for supplies or find other sources.  Luke Heaton at Whittlesticks has warned me that the European violin strings I love may not be available with shipping delays and tariffs so he is looking at other sources. Maybe we are entering a time when funding is even more in flux. Our arts groups are already finding new ways of fundraising to fill the financial shortfall from cancelled grants. "By confronting uncertainty head-on, leaders move from reactive to resilient, making choices that don’t just survive the current moment, but thrive across whatever comes next," said Einhorn.

     4. What’s the cost of waiting?  How long do you pause? At some point you have to make a decision and live with it. "This question shifts the decision lens from fear-based delay to opportunity-focused action," said Einhorn. Think of the people who are hoping for costs to decline, but they continue to rise. Is it better to move today or wait? This is a hard situation, but it appears to be our current reality. 

    In summary, "Strategic decision-making isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the questions that move you toward wiser, more resilient outcomes," said Einhorn.