HIGH IMPACT & ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP

Nicholas Tancredi Independent Research PUB 302

“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” –Isaac Newton

Art, Leadership, & Education

Arts-based learning is defined as the use of

artistic expression, which includes poetry,

drama, dance, film, literature, music, as well

all forms of visual art, which acts as a

catalyst for improving business

performance. This artistic creativity can

occur at a conventional program or

workshop setting, or beyond the walls of the

training room, such as a concert hall,

photography studio, or museum (Brenner,

2014).

Arts-based learning typically is used in

two ways in the context of leadership

development: parallels are drawn

between the artistic process itself and

leadership, as well as the engagement

of participants who create the artwork

firsthand. Both of these techniques can

be useful depending on the objective of

the initiative (Brenner, 2014).

Creative Leadership“Creative leaders invite disruptive innovation, encourage others to

drop outdated approaches and take balanced risk. they’re open-

minded and inventive in expanding theirmanagement and communication styles, particularly to engage with a new generation of employees, partners and customers.”–Lombardo & Roddy, 2011

http://dupress.com/articles/rising-tide-platform-leadership-as-a-key-to-success-in-the-era-of-ubiquitous-connectivity-video/?coll=6232

Abstract LeadershipArtists, such as musicians, performers, painters, and poets, have rarely been in a position to speak directly to those that are engaged in business or government. For most of human history, artists have been employed to basically serve in authoritative institutions, usually by bringing a level of emotional truth to established principles (Adler, 2006, p. 490).

However, the radical shift in the structure of the world needs creativity, because it asks us to rethink who we are as human beings. It may even be the case that writers, painters, and musicians have an unprecedented opportunity to be co-creators with society’s leaders in setting a path. After all, art is about rearranging us, creating surprising juxtapositions , emotional openings, startling presences, flight paths to the eternal (Adler, 2006, p. 490).

Self-Direction“Envisioning possibility means maintaining hope and not

descending into cynicism even when colleagues and friends misinterpret one’s aspirations and disparagingly label them as naïve” (Adler, 2006, p. 495).

Transformational Leadership

According to Google’s Chairman and

CEO Dr. Eric Schmidt, an organization

needs to let the artists within the company

explore and create the next great thing,

which they will do well if the culture of the

organization allows it. Harvard’s Rob

Austin also states that managers, as well as

management students do not understand

how to create on cue, how to innovate

reliably on a deadline; artists are much

better that managers are. It’s something

that theater companies do all the time

(Adler, 2006, P. 490).

“The essence of practice for leaders and performing artists is the same: to constructively provoke thought and evoke emotion in their audiences.” –Asbjornson, 2007, p. 24

Disruptive Leadership

“Go to the local

kindergarten and watch

the children play. They

are masters at rapidly

building coalitions –

before they get ‘educated,’

that is.” –David Kayrouz, Painter

and CEO of Creative Pathways

Leadership is not always clear cut. Good leadership is abstract. Leadership needs to be moldable to the certain individual.

Acting to Innovate and CreateActing to design, build and improve systems, requires some form of change at the point of

greatest leverage. Creating a culture with a bias for action takes having rewards aligned with

the taking of considered risks in an environment where failure is a necessary and mutually

defining opposite of success. Confident of the foundations laid in the seeing, mappings, understanding and believing stages of new endeavors, creative leaders take into consideration competitor reactions, and are prepared to adjust tactics as required, maintaining their core values and primary strategic intent until the vision is realized. –Lombardo & Roddy, 2011, p. 7

Creative Technology for an Innovative 21st Century

http://dupress.com/articles/tech-trends-2015-amplified-intelligence/

Companies such as Deloitte have been piloting creativity, by using 21st century research and advisory services to over 20 different sectors, “with one purpose: to deliver measurable, lasting results” (Deloitte, 2015). The following are technological and creative ventures from Deloitte for government and technology:

http://dupress.com/articles/future-of-government-video/?coll=6232

http://dupress.com/articles/future-digital-education-technology/

http://dupress.com/articles/rising-tide-open-innovation-as-a-pathway-to-growth-video/?coll=6232

Humility in LeadershipFormer U.S. President John F. Kennedy realized the role of the arts, in particular, poetry,

in going back to their humanity: “When power leads…[people’ toward ignorance, poetry

reminds…[them] of…[their] limitations. When power narrows the areas of…[people’s] concern, poetry reminds…[them] of the richness and diversity of…[their] existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses, for art established the basic human truths which must serve as the touchstone of our judgment” (Adler, 2006, p. 493).

Tone and ListeningConcert pianists must both tune their voices and tone to anticipate, as well as gauge the impact of their voices

on others. Leaders can dramatically increase their ability to influence others by putting together what they have

to say with their tine of voice and their actions. For example, it’s hard to inspire people to be excited about an

initiative if you sound bored by it. Listening is an art that requires attentiveness, openness to new perspectives,

as well as the ability to draw connections among various elements (Asbjornson, 2007, p. 24).

Listening with intention increases the capability for emotional intelligence. It engages both the intellectual and the emotional components of a person and integrates the heart, head, and soul of leadership.” -Asbjornson, 2007, p. 23

The Innovation of Creativity:One does not need to be in a position of leadership to be creative

http://cw39.com/2014/10/30/woman-pretends-to-order-pizza-actually-dials-911-to-tell-of-domestic-abuse/

“If you have a hard decision, I respectfully suggest that it is because you have not done sufficient creative thinking…How can you make the best decision if you haven’t got the best option?” –Bob Galvin, former CEO of Motorola

References• Adler. N.J. (2006). The arts and leadership: Now that we can do anything, what will we do? Academy of Management Learning & Education.

5 (4). P. 486-499. Received: 6 February. 2015.

• Asbjornson, K. (2007). Making the connection between art and leadership. Issues & Observations. 22 (4). pp. 22-24. Received: 6 February.

2015.

• Brenner, M. (2014 November). Incorporate arts-based learning in leadership development. TD Magazine. Received: 7 February. 2015.

• Deloitte. (2015). About deloitte us. http://www2.deloitte.com. Received: 6 February. 2015.

• Deloitte. (2014). (Video) inspiring disruption. Received: 8 February. 2015.

• Deloitte. (2015). Digital education 2.0: from content to connections. Received: 8 February. 2015.

• Deloitte. (2014). (Video) gov2020: envisioning the future of government. Received: 8 February. 2015.

• Deloitte. (2014). (Video) rising tide - II: open innovation as a pathway to growth. February. 2015.

• Deloitte. (2015). Amplified intelligence. Received. 8 February. 2015.

• Deloitte. (2014). (Video) rising tide - III: platform leadership as a key to success in the era of ubiquitous connectivity. Received. 8 February. 2014.

• Lombardo, B.J. & Roddy, D.J. (2011). Cultivating organizational creativity in an age of complexity. Human Capital Management. pp.

1-20. Received: 6 February. 2015.

• NewsFix. (2014). Woman pretends to order pizza, actually dials 911 to tell of domestic abuse. Received: 7 February. 2014.

• Photographs by Nicholas Tancredi

“Along with the big, bold, innovative ideas, we need organizations of creatively entrepreneurial employees who bring their talentsto the inches and minutes of organizational life, creating dozens of victories each day.” –Carl Nordgren, Adjunct Professor at Duke University and founder of Creativepopulist.com

http://dupress.com/articles/tech-trends-2014-inspiring-disruption-video/?coll=6232