This past weekend we were supposed to have our winter concert for our music school. We were expecting about 150 people and had been working towards it for months.
There were a lot of moving parts to the event – rent the facility, find sponsors, print the program booklets, coordinate the refreshments, communicate with all the students and families, and so on. But, I love it. I enjoy thinking about what would make an event like this successful and coordinating all the details.
Everything was going fine until snow showed up in the forecast for the day it was scheduled. I knew we may need to cancel it due to slippery roads.
To be honest with you, I labored long and hard over whether or not to cancel the concert. With the snowfall being moderate, I knew no matter what I decided, some people would be upset and would think I should have made the other choice.
I waited as long as I could, hoping that the snow’s predicted start time would be delayed. It wasn’t, so I had to cancel the concert.
It doesn’t seem as big a deal thinking back on it now, but at the time, the decision was very difficult. Our students and parents had worked so hard and had been looking forward to the concert for so long. I didn’t want to let anyone down.
Of course, it didn’t help that the snow’s actual start time was delayed. Up until about 45 minutes before the concert was to start, not a flake had fallen yet. Sheesh!
Here’s what I had to remind myself:
We’re never going to be able to please everyone, especially in a position of leadership, and that’s OK.
In the book Uncommon by Tony Dungy, which I just finished, Dungy speaks directly to this sort of situation. I think it’s a good reminder for all of us.
“Make the best decision you can after deliberation and prayer, but don’t second-guess yourself. You did the best you could.” – Tony Dungy
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(photo taken by Claudia)
Enjoyed reading your post this morning. Leaders have tough decisions to make and most will never understand all that goes into those decisions, but that is OK. God directs many things in our lives and we have no understanding of “why”, but in the end, it is all for the best, because He knows best.
Well said, Michael. Thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed the post.
You never can please everyone, Michael and no matter what decision you choose to make someone will always be unhappy with it or think they could’ve done better. This reminds me of the superintendent of our school system who has to decide whether to go with a 2 hour delay or cancel school when snow is predicted. There have been a few times when they cancelled and it didn’t snow at all! But that’s how it goes with weather predictions. Better safe than sorry is what I say.
That’s how I feel about snowy roads too, Ann. Better safe than sorry. God forbid that we would’ve continued with the concert and then someone got into an accident!
Absolutely!
Hey, at least you got to sit at home with a wonderful family watching the snow fall. 🙂 There’s always a bright side! Hang in there!
Absolutely, Ryan. It was great to spend the unexpected time at home! Been thinking about you guys. We need to catch up.
Been thinking about you all, too. 🙂 We definitely do! When’s good?
Let’s catch up after the Christmas and New Years rush. Are you and Ashley staying local?