From Boardrooms to Brushstrokes: The Creative Side of Leadership Development

Beach Piper 11"X14"  Acrylic Painting
Currently $80 
with free shipping.
Prices may change.

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out some of the other stuff
in My Photo Gallery 
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 Today's leaders, executives, managers, and employees all need cognitive flexibility because the world refuses to sit still. Markets change, technology evolves, and yesterday's brilliant idea can become tomorrow's museum exhibit. If your thinking becomes too rigid, you'll start missing opportunities and become about as adaptable as a flip phone trying to download the latest app.

The study below suggests that engaging with art may help strengthen empathy, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. While the research isn't yet conclusive, it's certainly an idea worth exploring. If you're designing leadership workshops or executive development programs, adding art-based activities might help people break out of their usual thought patterns and see problems from entirely new angles.

From a neuroscience perspective, it makes sense. Creating art encourages divergent thinking, experimentation, and imagination instead of simply hunting for the one "correct" answer. Sometimes the best innovation comes from coloring outside the lines—literally.

So, the next time someone asks, "Why are we painting in a leadership workshop?" you can tell them it's not arts and crafts—it's a workout for the brain. And let's be honest, a little finger paint is probably cheaper than another three-hour meeting that could have been an email.

Now, I can't promise my own artwork will unlock your inner CEO or make you the next Picasso. I'm still learning myself! But that's part of the fun. A few years ago, I knew almost nothing about painting, and now people actually buy my work(still not sure why). That still surprises me every time it happens.

(Illustrative Only)

Envisioning a surfboard.

I've also been accepted into an artists association for my photography, so at least someone thinks I'm headed in the right direction. If you'd like to check out my gallery, I'd love for you to take a look. Most of my paintings are just $80, including shipping. If you'd like one framed, we can certainly arrange that for a little extra.

Who knows? You might end up with a nice piece of art—and if this study is right, you can tell everyone it's actually an investment in your leadership development!

Outcomes of Art-Based Leadership Development: What the Research Shows

• This systematic review analyzed 31 empirical studies (2008–2023) to evaluate the effectiveness of art-based leadership development programs, including activities such as visual arts, theater, music, storytelling, and creative expression.
• The findings showed that art-based learning strengthens reflective thinking, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, creativity, and interpersonal communication, helping leaders better understand themselves and others.
• Participants frequently experienced transformative learning, developing new perspectives, greater empathy, improved collaboration, and enhanced problem-solving skills beyond traditional leadership training methods.
• The review suggests that art-based leadership development complements conventional skill-based training by fostering holistic leader development through experiential and embodied learning.
• Although the evidence is promising, the author concluded that more rigorous longitudinal and quantitative studies are needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness and measurable organizational impacts of art-based leadership development.

Sandberg, B. (2024). Outcomes of art-based leadership development: A qualitative metasummary. Behavioral Sciences, 14(8), 714. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080714