The People Theme

A Mission Models Money (MMM) Projectinvestigating the competencies, qualities andattributes which will enable creative practitionersand organisations to thrive in the challengingenvironment of the 21st Century

Summary of research undertaken by Roanne Dods and Nadine Andrews for MMMduring 2009-2010

Foreward

"MMM's last phase of work identified several strengths in the arts and culturalsector that suggest fertile ground in which to grow the competencies, qualitiesand attributes for thriving in the challenging environment of the 21

Century.First, the substance of the arts is intimately connected to meaning making -making sense of the buzzing confusion of our world. Second, the sector isgenerally loosely organised and configured with plenty of room for personalpassion and innovation. Third, the observation of leaders in the sectorsuggests that the challenges faced are being met with resilience and innovation- responses that drive sustainable delivery across both public and privatesectors.The sector is evidencing good and exemplary practice and MMM's researchenables us to share some key insights into the competencies, qualities andattributes that help navigate through these challenging times; how they might be developed and how we might better understand the contexts in which they flourish.The Cultural Leadership Programme works to nurture, develop and sustain world-class, dynamic and diverse leaders, equipped to thrive in thischallenging 21

Century and we are delighted to support MMM in theircontinued exploration of this agenda - one which is so relevant to all of us wherever we live and work."

Hilary Carty DirectorThe Cultural Leadership Programme

“In a world of risk we can judge dangers and opportunities by using the bestevidence at hand to estimate the probability of a particular outcome. But in a world of uncertainty, we can’t estimate probabilities, because we don’t haveany clear basis for making such a judgement. We are surrounded by unknownunknowns.”

Thomas Homer Dixon

“When you see dancers moving on balloons, they are trying to keep their balance and the whole thing is shifting underneath them all the time. And very good exercise because it exercises all bits of you…. That is how I feel abouttrying to do something, that you are always having to be like that.”

MMM Research respondent

Thomas Homer Dickson, The Upside of Down: Catastrophe, Creativity and the Renewal of Civilisation, 20