Nicholas Tancredi Independent Research PUB 302

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 leaders invite disruptive innovation, encourage others to

drop outdated approaches and take balanced risk.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

minded and inventive in expanding their

management 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

Artists, 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).

“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).

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

“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 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

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

Former 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).

Concert 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

http://cw39.com/2014/10/30/woma

n-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

• 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