18. What are you doing to continue growing and developing as a leader?
I read a lot and study the theatre industry. I go to conferences, read professional journals and blogs. There’s so much information on the internet now. You can’t not know what you’re supposed to be doing in your business. I am also constantly trying to improve and keep fresh. People get bored fast. The Center happens to be in a successful period right now, and I’m doing my best to maximize that. I’m trying not to lose any ground. There are often unforeseen things that happen that you can’t control, and good leaders recognize that. They recognize that they are going to fail, that they can learn from failure, and not to be afraid of failing. If you become afraid of failure you won’t take risks, and if you don’t take risks you’re not growing. People have to get comfortable with not being perfect.
19. What are the one or two peak experiences that set you on the path you’re on today?
Being the Executive Director of The Center has been a peak experience. In this position, in this part of my career and life, it’s feeling like we, The Center, are making a difference for the community. In terms of helping businesses, other non-profits, the artists, helping the kids and providing a place that is safe for the kids.
Honestly, I think the peak experiences for me are when I fail. Because I had a really good run with my gallery here and was very well known for it, I made a mistake. I opened the gallery in New York, it failed, and I lost money. All of the sudden, I was in debt and felt like I was in a hole, felt like I failed. There were a couple days of feeling sorry for myself, then I achieved victory again.
20. As you look back over your life what would you do differently?
Not much.
21. The three characteristics most often associated with sage leadership are unusual experience, sound judgment, and wisdom. What does having wisdom mean to you?
Wisdom is learning from experience while understanding that some things are out of your control. It is being confident and decisive because you know you have the wisdom to proceed. It is also an ability to listen and learn from others, opening yourself up to new experiences. If you find yourself saying, no, I won’t do that I have tried it before and it does not work, I would say it is time to retire!
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