Art has long been viewed as a means of expression for people from all walks of life.
Children use it to tap into their imagination and creativity for the very first time. Adults often see art as a way to be contemplative about the world around them. At Chicago’s National Veterans Art Museum, the subject of this month’s Uniquely Chicago, art is a way for those who have bravely served their country to express the raw feelings of war.
Sarah Eilefson, the museum’s director of programming, says the museum represented a much-needed forum for veterans of the Vietnam War to express what they were feeling when they returned to the U.S. The museum was originally called the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, but took its current name and broadened its mission to include artwork created by veterans from all wars.
It’s certainly a unique concept and a different way for those who weren’t part of military service to get a unique perspective as to what it means to be a soldier. As the holidays draw near and thoughts turn to those currently serving overseas, we invite you to take a moment to think about our military personnel and how much they mean to our country and our freedom.
The lure of potential
Mitch Golub gets intrigued when he comes across a potential employee with what seems like a high ceiling. It stirs his imagination as to what the talented individual can bring and might be able to grow into in the years ahead if he decides to hire the him or her.
“Am I looking to hire someone who is pretty much maxed out in his or her skill set and career?” says Golub, who spoke to Smart Business Chicago for this month’s cover story. “Or am I looking at someone who is going to continue to grow? I’ve changed five of our senior leaders in the last 3½ years. It’s always tough to do.
“It’s something you don’t like to do because it does create a ripple effect in the organization. But we had to make those changes because the bar for the business kept getting higher and higher each year. The people in those positions were struggling to keep up with that bar. A lot of smart hiring today is not necessarily hiring key people for your business in January 2015, but hiring people for what your business is going to be in January 2018.”
Golub says he has learned that it’s often better to cut your losses and let someone go who is no longer a fit in your organization.
“In most cases, you’re doing that employee a favor,” Golub says. “Let them move on to some place where they can be more successful or move into a position here where they can be more successful. They are taking up a lot of your time if it’s not working that could be better used elsewhere.” ●
