Good To Great

BHAG, Hedgehog Concept, Flywheel and Level 5 Leader mean something if you are a Jim Collins advocate like I am. All of the researched writings of this global influencer are page-turners if you are fascinated with leadership models, management and developing the best possible culture for your organization. Good to Great, Great by Choice and Built to Last in that order, have helped shape our company and offered guideposts to monitor progress. I appreciate the Chapter Summaries and Key Points as a reflective tool or teaser before reading the chapters which are dense, but enthralling. We also work with a fair number of non-profits and education entities that could, and have, benefited from the monograph Good to Great and the Social Sectors.

We encourage all of our clients during the Vision & Design phase of our process to learn more about the work and writings of Jim Collins to propel their organizations.

We are sharing our library of influential books that revolutionize thinking and encourage all of us to do our best work. What works for you?

Up Next: Edward Tufte

The Power of Student Voice

Working with the Nashville Mayor’s Youth Council or young minds from all over the nation (and the world) with GRAMMY Camp and Pro Sessions - the power of student voice is critical to any learning experience we create. Voices we value. Voices we hear. Voices that make a difference.

Because ultimately - these young minds are the end recipients of what will be created and implemented on their behalf. Essential to have their input at any juncture of education design and experiential learning.

We assembled over thirty students from three different high schools (Napa, Vintage & American Canyon) - who had never convened together in the same space - to help shape the Arts Education Master Plan in Napa, California. What ensued over three hours was an outpouring of ideas, passion, invention, disappointments, celebrations - and ultimately - solutions for building and improving arts education in their school district.

The level of empathy these high school students had for each other and their teachers was remarkable and enlightening. Whether it was choral, instrumental, theatre, dance and media arts disciplines - these young people shared common experiences and a language that unified their resolve.

Not discounting the valuable input from educators, parents, artists, non-profits, community members and district leaders - the highlight of the initiative for me was the Student Voice Session. Both personally - that we made a trusted connection together in such a short period of time, and professionally, that the student insights could be incorporated into the writing - were in part responsible for the school board and superintendency unanimously approving the NVUSD Arts Education Master Plan. 

But don’t take my word for it. Read this remarkable speech by Jori Herman - a Napa Valley High School senior and musician who emerged as an articulate and powerful advocate for the arts during the Student Voice Session that evening. 

(l to r) Transformative Leader  & Maverick Napa High Principal - Annie Petrie,  Jori Herman - Student Keynote Speaker & Patrick Bolek - MPL CEO & Master Plan Author at the Arts Now Napa Summit.

She impressed the Arts Council Napa Valley and Festival Napa Valley leaders present that evening so much, they were determined to find a platform for her self-expression. Jori was featured during the Arts Now Napa Summit luncheon as a keynote speaker. Beyond proud of this opportunity for her.

Make student voice part of your next big idea.

You Just Know

Maren Morris performs at the inaugural GRAMMY Camp Showcase Concert in Los Angeles.

GRAMMY Camper Wins!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmfkhzS7v4E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JU5GVY7npA

Listening to hundreds of demo songs was a wonderful experience for me as I prepared to launch the first GRAMMY Camp in 2005. Anyone who has done this type of previewing relies on a criteria to vet and honor each submission, but also move through a tremendous amount of material to distill down to the best entries.

One young, future artist stood out to me above all others - and that was -

Maren Morris

Her singing, exceptional songwriting abilities with engaging and thoughtful storytelling, were all amazing. I was honored to have worked with her and ever grateful that she set the highest standard for the GRAMMY Camp Singer-Songwriter Career Track for years to come.

Thrilling to see her interviewed on the CBS Sunday Morning Show, as the featured musical guest on Saturday Night Live and so many other recent honors. Career -- Skyrocketing! 

Persistence and perseverance are essential to any career - especially one in the music industry. That arc was over a decade in the making. Gratifying to see this skilled musician honored with four GRAMMY Award nominations this year. Congratulations Maren.

When you hear that powerful voice and listen to her songwriting - you just know.

Woodshedding a new song before a Meet The Artist Session

Contemplative moment at GRAMMY Camp

Final rehearsal before laying down tracks at Citrus Studios

Maren in here element - the recording studio