Producing: can we really put care & compassion at the front and centre?

Introduction

This article should take about 3-4 mins to read and is based on my opinion, backed up by academic research I’m currently undertaking into current best leadership practices from thought leaders like McKinsey.

Inspired

I recently read a brilliant article written by a fellow freelance Creative Producer, Kate McStraw published on Arts Professional. Inspired by Kate’s wonderful words, I thought I’d once again take to my musings blog and write some thoughts on it. I also thought; ‘Yay! Thank god it’s not just me.’ Who else of us is doing this?

In summary, Kate talks of ‘humane producing’ which I take to mean producing with care in the centre. And care as a focus…. It really chimes with me and my own producing practice, as well as wider leadership journey - because this too is where I am at. Leading with care & compassion shouldn’t be an after thought, it should be central to our sector’s approach to doing great work.

In practice

Recently in my role as Senior Producer with LYNNEBEC on their party cannon outdoor performance piece called A Thousand Welcomes for Birmingham 2022’s Athletes Welcome Ceremonies; I set out with care and compassion as my mission. A rainbow thread that was to run through the project (and now the organisation) that embraced a listening culture, time off when needed (with leaders setting an example here), a flatarchy team structure along with the embracing of multiple energies (see more on that below…); gratitude, acceptance and flexibility.

Did I truly achieve this? I think so yes, the evaluation & feedback from colleagues points to a positive experience but there’s always more to be learned and tested about this approach. And to go back to a regular theme of mine about change-making, the greater piece here is the question: how do we roll this out? Yes we can individually pledge to and then action a compassionate leadership approach across the sector - but unless people/organisations are held accountable then I question any real change. Are flatter structures a business imperative?

The sector change piece then…

Kate says; ‘It shouldn’t be extraordinary to work like this, but currently this way of thinking still challenges the status quo of long hours, low pay and a focus on the bottom line. In my experience, if we invest in people, truly support them in doing their best work, the work is better for it too.’ McKinsey has loads of articles and thought pieces on this, especially this article which not only lists a number of resources & further reading but states; ‘When you don’t carve out time to assess your physical and emotional needs—and make a plan to address those needs—you can’t effectively support your team’. Am I saying a big part of this problem is down to leaders? Yes I am.

It’s down to us all.

This absolutely isn’t rocket science. Of course, we know that we exist in a grind culture, where cultural, societal and systemic norms place unhealthy expectations on our working lives (see my past blog about rest here). Add to that trying to balance a personal/family life, finances, health & wellbeing… the list goes on. Then add in people that experience barriers in our industry. Isn’t the case for change strong enough already? Is this an epidemic?

You only need to take one glimpse at the Center for Compassionate Leadership’s website, where the homepage says; ‘There Is a Compassionate Leader in All of Us. Are you feeling the call to lead with heart and humanity during these unprecedented times? What will it take to reimagine outdated, unsustainable systems that are breaking apart right before our eyes? As compassionate leaders, we can be the change by responding to the visceral cries for peace, justice, and common humanity. It’s time to bring our innate wisdom and the power of compassion to the forefront of leadership so that individuals, organizations, and systems can thrive.’

But how?

Well, as the Center says, compassion is innate within us. How to tap into it and apply it then? One solution which I believe could help here is a conscious awareness (I don’t mean deeply spiritual although if that’s your bag, go with it), but rather, greater emotional intelligence linked to how you, as a producer, leader or CEO balance and apply your masculine & feminine energies in the workplace. Stay with me on this.

I’ve written before that earlier this year I took part in Leading For Good, a leadership development programme inspired by nature run by Nicki Davey, Director of Saltbox Training. There are so many lessons from nature, with one key one being: slow down, pay attention and listen. Parallels here to what Kate says in her article, yes, but also, again this is not rocket science. If we channeled more of this, maybe we could actually create better conditions for people we work with and things would slowly change.

Since I finished that programme (which I highly recommend btw - they are recruiting the next cohort now), I’ve continued to think about, review & replay workplace scenarios I’ve found myself in, and consciously reflect on and adapt my leadership & producing practice in line with the teachings of the course as well as past experience. I also attended a follow-up workshop about Masculine & Feminine Leadership recently. Timing, hey.

Another thing

I’m a trustee for Bristol based circus education charity, Circomedia. As part of that I’m involved in organisational leadership by distance. We’re recently learned a hard and fast lesson about putting your people first, creating a caring & compassionate company culture, a spirit of transparency and not shying away from the difficult conversations, where the need for prioritising that staff are heard and actions are then taken (aka accountability) - all these sit hand in hand with cohesion, a happy workplace and a happy team… if we can can crack that, great things can happen.

You can read Kate’s article here: https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/357/article/practising-humane-producing

In the meantime, I am looking for part-time freelance or interim leadership roles where I can apply this in action. Know of any? Tell a friend! My email is hello@amydaltonhardy.co.uk