The Right Way to Win
Throughout Covid-19, I've gotten a number of text messages, emails, and notes saying "Wow, so and so should really read Trash The Trophies."
People have applied its relevancy to spheres far beyond competitive dance, including school systems, professional sports, politics, and more, proving that our societal desire to "win" is often all-consuming, leading to skewed prioritization, even in the midst of a global health crisis.
While I've appreciated the enthusiasm surrounding the concepts in the book (which is purely based on my personal experiences and professional decisions), I've been knee-deep in risk mitigation, pivots, creative contingencies, and long-term strategies for my own businesses' survival and sustainability. I haven't publicly commented on most of it or focused on much beyond my realm of immediate impact.
Until this point, I've been very live and let live, follow the recommendations, do what you need to do to make it work, and do it as safely as you possibly can within the guidelines of permissibility. Make the best choices for your family and try to be judgment-free as we work together to reach the other side.
Yet, over the past few weeks, in the midst of the post-holiday Covid surge, the reality of the hungered frenzy of dance competitions has resurfaced.
I can't stop thinking "what does it mean to win right now?"
Over the past week, I've observed via social media:
A studio sending students to events in 5 different cities in 3 different states in 1 weekend.
Large scale, competitive, indoor gatherings.
Chat forums with topics designed to discuss how to best circumnavigate wearing masks for competition.
Rehearsals with no masks and no distancing.
Pressure for competitive dance events to relax their safety protocols and standards because they aren't as fun.
Pop-up performances with no masks or safety protocols at other places of businesses.
While I believe there are events that are taking extreme precautions and safety protocols, that doesn't mean all will and that doesn't mean every participant will subscribe.
So, why take the risk?
Why not focus on what you are able to do as your business and your brand without the involvement of third parties?
Why not continue focusing on recovery, sustainability, and risk mitigation in the environments we control?
Trust me, I get it. I crave some level of "normalcy", I want to travel and return to all of the things we love doing. BUT, I will NOT do it as a business or a brand until I know that I can safely endorse the experience, which means following the guidelines set forth by the CDC alongside our state directives.
Why?
Because I care about the safety and well-being of my staff, clients, and families.
Because I see how hard my friends in healthcare are working around the clock.
Because I've seen people suffer, and even die, from this virus.
If those aren't three big enough reasons, I also want to see my brand thrive on the other side of the pandemic, and I don't want to negate the trust of our clients by introducing decisions or opportunities that can wait.
As a leader, I will maintain my commitment to continue moving us from Pandemic Point A (the beginning) to Pandemic Point B (the end) in the safest and smartest ways possible under the four pillars of our studio model: (a) technique, (b) performance, (c) community, and (d) character.
Today, our doors are open and we can operate, which is a WIN.
Our health is a WIN.
Our care for our neighbors is a WIN.
Being able to practice our art is a WIN.
Knowing that our team can do really challenging things is a WIN.
Re-calibrating our community service component is a WIN.
Figuring out ways to safely modify performances is a WIN.
Kindness.
Community.
Collaboration.
All WINS.
That's what we all need right now.
Trophies can wait.