Dear DRMRS and Doers,
Welcome back to our journey through DRMTM’s Bold Brand Truths. Today, we’re tackling #9, and it’s a big, sometimes scary one:
Accountability Counts.
In our exciting field, we love to talk about creating magic, inspiring awe, and transforming lives with art and culture. But there’s a critical, less glamourous piece to our work that we often overlook: accountability. Accountability is the backbone of a bold arts brand. It’s what forms trust, thus allowing us to create magic, awe, and transformation.
Why? Because trust is the currency of connection.
When people align with your brand, they’re not just appreciating your art — they’re buying into your values, your culture, your promise. They’re joining your family. And just like in any family, trust is paramount.
But here’s the thing: trust is fragile. It’s built slowly, over time, through consistent actions and transparent communication. Yet it can be shattered in an instant by a misstep, a broken promise, or a values misalignment.
So, how do we build and maintain this trust? Through accountability.
It must show up across all operations and in addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) in our mission and profession. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Embrace the messy middle: We’re living in complex times. It’s okay – commendable, even – to admit that you’re still figuring things out. Your audience appreciates honesty over perfection.
- Walk the talk: Accountability isn’t just about training manuals and mission statements. It’s about the hard, ongoing work of truly reflecting and serving your community. Are you actively engaging in difficult conversations? Are you making real, structural changes?
- Own your mistakes: When you miss the mark (and you will, because we’re all human), own it. Apologize sincerely, explain what went wrong, and share how you’ll do better.
- Invite feedback: Create channels for your community to share their thoughts and concerns. And more importantly, listen and respond.
- Be transparent about your journey: Share your accountability goals publicly. Report on your progress — both the victories and the challenges.
- Question yourself regularly: Are we being authentic in our approach? Are we avoiding controversy at the cost of progress? Are we truly serving our entire community?
Accountability isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being honest, open, and committed to growth. It’s about recognizing that as arts and culture organizations, we have a unique responsibility and opportunity to lead by example in creating more just and inclusive communities.
Yes, there’s fatigue around serving communities and DEIA discussions. Yes, the current political climate can make these conversations challenging. But here’s the truth: our missions as arts and culture organizations demand that we persist. We must continue to evolve, to reflect, and to strive for better — not despite the challenges, but because of them.
It might feel vulnerable. It might be messy. But it’s also where the real magic happens — where trust deepens, where communities truly connect, and where your brand becomes not just bold, but beloved.
Ready to boost your accountability quotient? Here are some questions to get you started:
- When was the last time we publicly shared our progress (or challenges) on accountability initiatives?
- How do we currently gather and respond to community feedback?
- Can we identify a recent misstep? How did we handle it, and what did we learn?
- Are our efforts integrated into all aspects of our organization, or siloed?
- How are we measuring the impact of our accountability efforts?
Remember, accountability isn’t a destination – it’s an ongoing journey. By committing to this journey, you’re not just strengthening your brand. You’re creating a more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant arts and culture landscape for all.
Struggling with how to approach accountability in your organization?
We happen to have some expertise in this area. Email us at hello@thedrmtm.com and we’ll schedule a call to talk about our consulting services.
Here’s to brands that don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk,
Surale, Laura + Cheryl
P.S. We’d love to hear about your accountability journey! Join us on our socials to share a moment when owning up to a challenge led to unexpected growth – let’s learn from each other!