The Art of Applause at Work

The love of applause is intrinsic to most performers. There is nothing more validating than that noisy sense of appreciation following the accomplishment of something. Relishing the recognition of a job well done doesn’t make us selfish, it makes us human! Even the most introverted person likes to feel not only a sense of completeness after doing something special, but also that others have responded in a positive way.

Applause, or any public recognition of achievement, is as important in a business setting as in a creative one. The opportunity to celebrate each other’s accomplishments with real or symbolic applause is a way of exerting the important values of respect and gratitude in the workplace. We can find many ways to support our peers by expressing our appreciation directly to them for something they have done or by letting their manager know when they have gone above and beyond. Even taking a moment to validate a new idea that has been shared is a way to celebrate new ideas and initiative.

Storytelling in Business

“Having spent my life believing in the dream of reason, I was startled to find that an appropriately told story had the power to do what rigorous analysis couldn’t: to communicate a strange new idea and move people to enthusiastic action.” — Stephen Denning, author of The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling

Let’s continue to explore artistic processes as a means of inspiring and helping catapult you and your organization to positive business outcomes and a more inspiring work environment.  I’d like to examine here an art that is a regular practice in the business landscape, bringing it front and center for a deeper look: the art of storytelling.

Creativity and Vulnerability

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”

― Dr. Brené Brown

Artists are inherently creative souls.  Creativity is their business.  So, how can those of us who are entrenched in the traditional business world unleash this trait in a way that allows us to become artists in our workplace?  Let’s begin with the creative process itself and jointly explore a necessary aspect of this process that many may shy away from.  

Artists not only feel a sense of personal accomplishment in the completion of their artwork (painting, play, film, poem, book, dance or music performance, etc.), they typically thrive on the conceptual and construction process, finding that creating itself has its own inherent rewards. Although it can be a difficult, often grueling, process to write a book or song, to create a painting or sculpture, the artist wouldn’t remove this activity from their experience even if they could.  The process of creating can be a soul-feeding, even spiritual, exercise that often involves catharsis, personal growth, and r

The Art of Work: The Secret Ingredient

Your work life should be more than a set of bullet points on your resume. 

This is the heart of the reason I wanted to consider a new approach to work. One that takes art out of its traditional context and drops it into an unexpected environment, the business setting. 

We spend countless hours at work. Those hours can be grueling, monotonous, challenging, rewarding, etc., depending on the environment you find yourself in.  Finding purpose and satisfaction, even if you are making widgets all day, is key to enjoying your work and your life. It can be the impulse to propel you forward in your organization. It can help to create a more enjoyable work environment for yourself. It can inspire and positively influence those around you.

Art and the City — An Actor’s Story

“New York!” he said. “That’s not a place, it’s a dream.” ― Ralph Ellison

Welcome back! Before we explore more about the intersection of art and business, I’d like to take a bit of a detour to explain why this concept speaks so loudly to me.

If you know me, you know how much I love a good story. I particularly like those that work as a tool to understand something better, help provide clarity or enlightenment, or reinforce a principle or idea. My story may give you a glimpse into how this blog’s concepts about work and art crept into being. So here goes.