Indeed, this is a major issue for all of us - and reflects a similar battle
that has gone on in the arts institutions of this country - who should lead?
The Visionary or the Accountant?  The Manager or the Dreamer?

In my book, either extreme is bad for an institution.  Great leaders need to
both be able to be visionaries with the ability to inspire - including inspire
others to give funding - as well as good managers.  The Shakespeare Festival
in NYC became the institution it did with such a powerful impact on the city
and on theater because Joe Papp had an incredible ability to envision both
Shakespeare for the masses, but a theater that was alive to the issues of the
day...as it was in the time of the Greeks long before.   A theater that should
stimulate and educate as well as entertain.  He also was able to walk into a
CEO's office and inspire him or her to fund this vision.  He also hired excellent
managers to help him manage the theater.

I don't believe that any institution can survive without VISION.   At the
same time, it must be managed well, and perhaps the answer is to balance the best
qualities of your leaders with a support team who can make sure that the
vision gets realized.

A provocative issue, indeed.

Maggie Harrer
Immediate Past President
The Water Works Conservancy, Inc.

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