www.cirquefascination.com: If there’s one organization that values all things wired and wonderful, with a little bit of folly, it’s Cirque du Soleil. The world-famous circus is known for its dazzling performances and death-defying tricks – but the past couple of years have been a far cry from the glitz and success they’re used to. Pre-pandemic, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group had a global staff base of more than 5,000 employees. However, when COVID hit in 2020, the company was forced to cut nearly all of its employees.
6 comments:
I think it’s a great start to look at the values of people when creating a whole new team. Especially after the pandemic when so much of our viewpoint when it comes to work culture has changed. And especially for Cirque that lost so much of their personnel. The article didn’t mention this part but I would have to imagine that greatly impacted their culture as a company. As in, no one is really sure of what the etiquette is because there is no one to model it for them. In a way, it’s a lot like starting from scratch. Yes there are a lot of procedures in place and rules to follow, but how they are fulfilled probably changed a lot. There is a also probably a rift between those who stayed through the pandemic and those who are newly employed. I wish it had gone into more detail on how to navigate transitions like this one.
This is a very boilerplate instruction list to build back your team. I’m glad to hear that they’ve been able to hire back 65% of their staff and hope to increase that number. Reading this I just cannot fathom how awful the pandemic was for these performers because I was able to easily pivot to fulfilling an essential position, but it’s not always that easy for working artists. I truly wish that we had all followed the initial guidance and saved countless lives - let COVID run its course, and go back to a masked normal within weeks. There was a throw away line in this article about creditors which I had not heard before - but implied to me that Cirque was acquired by a new group of people. There’s also a line about people who come from a wide variety of backgrounds being ideal hires which gives me hope - maybe not for cirque, but at least for some other entertainment industry job.
Rebuilding after the pandemic (even though it is still going on) is full of unknowns. I knew that they had to let go of a lot of people when everything was shut down but I had no clue the full extent. Going from 5,000 to 150 is insane to say the least. Personally, I would have to weigh my options whether or not to come back. The lack of job security is very scary and it makes sense why many people in the industry have left to go pursue a more stable career. On the other hand, like myself, this is what people love to do and are extremely passionate about. As the article said 65% of the 3,500 rehired are people who came back, so that is very telling about the trust they have in the work. This was also a very helpful article to hear what they are looking for in employees.
Everything I've ever heard about working for Cirque has been ultimately positive. These are a few anecdotal experiences, of course, but gist I get is that they are very committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. They are as much people-centric as they are a profit generating machine. That's not to say that they are perfect or that no one has had terrible experiences working for the company, but I think it says a lot that their hiring process starts with a probationary period. They truly seem dedicated to building a team that functions well. And with all of the dangerous stunt-work they do, that's important.
It's admirable, although not surprising, that they have been able to rebuild since the pandemic. Losing nearly every employee during the pandemic and now rebuilding to more than half only three years later is impressive. Cirque could have easily gone under for good. It sounds like Gagnon is an effective leader whose transparency and care for her employees is apparent. I also just like that they are looking for key traits of curiosity, agility, and empathy. Experience and skill are necessary, but I agree that an ability to come at the work with flexibility and compassion is crucial. Lives are on the line -- literally.
Ok so I know many people who’s goal is to work for cirque du soleil when they graduate and I can see why. Not only do they put on some truly magical shows as a company they seem to care about there employees. Having to let go so many people during the pandemic is heart breaking, but I am glad to see that so many are rehired. I am curious if those who weren’t rehired what are they doing now. I think a lot of people during the pandemic have been reconsidering there career path so I wonder if those who haven’t returned are already hired somewhere else. I thinks it interesting that even through be bought by another company cirque has been able to maintain a good standing with there current employees. It’s sad to see that so many lost there jobs but it is also exciting to see all the new talent that is out there.
I like that this article is truthful to the fear of job security and drawing on how the company was founded for hope of a better future. It was interesting to see how the head of HR took perspective for their behind the scenes role and how they see their team as being leaders. The traits they were looking for in employees include curiosity, agility, and empathy…which is hard to read in interviews and hard to know if it is genuine before being hired. I would be interested in seeing what the hiring process looks like and how they measure those traits. I really liked the phrasing of cirque being collectively unique. I hate cookie cutter groups that want everyone to fit in their box with no outside perspectives. It is always refreshing to look at cirque and see uniqueness celebrated and embraced as artistic process and necessity both onstage and off.
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