The Art of Listening to Lead

“Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” ― Stephen Covey

Of course, listening is a critical skill for anyone in a work setting. Employees who know how to listen to feedback and respond accordingly have a much better chance at success in their professional endeavors. But, I believe there is an art to listening. Leaders who know how to really listen to their employees can help promote innovative thinking, spur productivity, and stimulate creative action.

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.