Leadership in Focus: Jeff Melanson
By Elisa Birnbaum
August 3, 2010
This month in our Leadership in Focus series we feature Jeff Melanson, executive director and co-CEO of Canada’s National Ballet School. Prior to taking on his current role in 2006, Jeff dedicated his time to Opera Ontario and the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto, with his last position as Dean of RCM's Community School. A dedicated patron of the arts with an MBA in his arsenal, Jeff was recently named a recipient of Canada's Top 40 Under 40, the first arts leader to receive this prestigious honour.
CharityVillage®: What do you see as the main challenges facing the arts sector today? Have they evolved over the years?
Jeff Melanson:
One of the challenges facing the arts sector is adapting to technologically-driven shifts in cultural creation and consumption, and taking more advantage of the impact of the Internet, social media, and mobile technologies. A second challenge is shifting our economic models to ensure we can fully pursue artistic growth that isn’t solely or primarily reliant on government funding, thus enabling more of a focus on fundraising and business development. Third is attracting, retaining, and developing the talent base to ensure our arts organizations can continue to grow and succeed on the international stage. And, finally, the fourth main challenge is ensuring that our public school system is equipped to deliver high quality, progressive arts education to every student within the system. Everyone in our society needs access to education steeped in creativity and innovation; this is the only way we will succeed in the creative economy of the future.
CV: How do these challenges differ from those faced by the nonprofit sector as a whole and how are they similar?
JM: I think the need to develop an approach along the lines of social entrepreneurialism is common to both the arts and the nonprofit sector. I also think the need to attract and retain star talent is consistent through our sectors.
"I believe digital media is also more of a disruptive, positive opportunity for the arts and culture than it might be for other nonprofit sectors. " |
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I think arts education is of particular interest to the arts and culture sector, but each nonprofit will have their own specific area of focus. I believe digital media is also more of a disruptive, positive opportunity for the arts and culture than it might be for other nonprofit sectors.
CV: Why do you feel it vital to promote arts in our communities, in our lives?
JM: We are all artists. Rhythm is an extension of our pulse, speech is connected to pitch, movement is our dance through life. We see, we feel, we hear, we touch. Art is human and we are all artists. Every day we each make creative decisions in our problem-solving and even in smaller choices, such as, how we dress, what colour we paint our walls etc. Art belongs to everyone and we all have innate artistic ability that deserves and requires support and encouragement.
Additionally, we have moved into a creative economy which will require us all to be even more creative and innovative. Now more than ever, we need to ensure that our children have access to developing their creativity through artistic training in our schools and communities.
CV: What does it mean to you and to the arts community to be the first arts leader named Canada's Top 40 Under 40?
JM: I am very humbled to be included amongst the other accomplished recipients, let alone to be the first arts leader awarded this prestigious honour. I think it shows that business leaders recognize the arts sector's artistic and economic contributions to society. I hope it will also serve as an inspiration to our artists to continue to reach higher and achieve more. Now is not a time for pessimism — we have a world to inspire, to move! Let's get on with it.
CV: What makes a leader successful?
JM: Other people. I have had the incredible privilege of working with tremendous people at The Royal Conservatory of Music and Canada's National Ballet School. This is their award as much as it is mine. A leader should surround him/herself with talent, create conditions for everyone's success, be open to new ideas and be prepared to excel. Create a shared sense of purpose with a fabulous group of people and success is practically guaranteed.
CV: Are organizations doing enough to foster young leaders? If not, what more can they do?
JM: No, I don't think any organizations are doing enough. We need to break down hierarchical structures and build much more dynamic teamwork into our institutions. We need to empower young people to lead projects, to reach, to fall, to rebound, to succeed. We need to build the next generation of leadership into our institutions. I'd advise all of my senior arts colleagues to find young people who may be able to take over and build conditions for their success. Be bold, take risks, and encourage the next generation now.
CV: Do you have any mentors who’ve inspired you over the years?
JM: Too many to mention. I once heard the famous dancer, Alicia Alonso, say that as a passionate student of life, we must learn from everyone, that everyone has something to teach you. I learn from my colleagues and contemporaries everyday. I'm inspired by my board and my diverse social networks constantly.
More about Jeff Melanson... |
First nonprofit job: Opera Ontario
Education: BMus, MBA
Annual budget: $20 million
Number of employees: 267
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But, to name a few: I learned about leadership and setting an example first from my father. My mother taught me the power of insight and compassion. Wallace McCain taught me about resilience and perseverance. Peter Simon taught me to be determined and relentless. Mavis Staines taught me how to be mindful. My family taught me to be patient and nurturing. My colleagues taught me how to lead, how to inspire, and be inspired. There are so many people who believed in me and I will rely on their support forever.
And I take full responsibility for any and all negative traits.
CV: Can you name any books or resources on leadership that have been useful to you?
JM: IDEO’s The Ten Faces of Innovation; Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea and Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers. I also read Wallpaper and Fast Company every month.
I think you learn to lead by doing, so books help but your life will teach you more.
Elisa Birnbaum is a freelance journalist, producer and communications consultant living in Toronto. She is also president of Elle Communications and can be reached at: info@ellecommunications.ca.
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