The opinions expressed by Entrepreneur authors are their very own.
As a leadership development researcher and consultant, I’m normally intrigued but skeptical when I hear stories about painting as a team-building process or writing poetry to improve leadership performance. Then I got here across the work of Dr. Michelle Williams, who uses something called “expressive arts” to help leaders and their teams increase emotional intelligence, which improves team performance and well-being.
I learned that the expressive arts go beyond painting and poetry and encompass a big selection of modalities such as movement, visual arts, writing, sound and music, drama and imagery. Participating in these activities affects every person Natalie Rogers called Creative Connection, leading to increased self-awareness, personal development, emotional intelligence and creativity. Participants praised these methods for helping them cope with complex emotions related to work life, gain clarity in profession decision-making, and think more creatively.
Expressive arts are a powerful option for leaders that allow them to safely work through feelings which may otherwise lead to burnout and reduced effectiveness.
By integrating the expressive arts with leadership development, leaders can develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence at the heart of empowering leadership styles such as mindful leadership, authentic leadership, and transformational leadership. These styles are known for valued organizational-level outcomes, from increased trust to improved performance and decision-making.
According to Williams, a leader’s well-being is the basis for effective team management because it directly affects the leader’s ability to maintain emotional balance, make the right decisions and communicate clearly. When leaders prioritize their very own well-being, they create a positive environment that fosters trust, collaboration, and productivity inside their teams.
That’s why Williams specializes in facilitating the expressive arts experience for leaders and their teams. He believes that when leaders model sensitivity and creativity, their team members are inspired to do the same.
In turn, everyone gains greater access to their very own and each other’s skills, insights and opportunities. Understanding each other’s experiences and emotions leads to higher team cohesion, trust and a more supportive work environment, which ultimately translates into organizational success.
Williams outlined three practices to help leaders develop their skills and improve team well-being through the expressive arts:
1. Identify your creative outlet and set regular time for creative activities
Start by identifying a creative activity that resonates with you. It could possibly be anything from painting, writing or playing a musical instrument. The key is to select something that permits you to express yourself freely, whether that is journaling, doodling, or keeping an art journal.
To incorporate expressive arts into your team, dedicate specific hours in your team’s schedule to these activities. Regardless of specific actions or timing, consistency is key to reaping the advantages of creative exploration. Williams typically works with teams over a 6-month period, meeting with them in 3-hour monthly sessions.
2. Crystallize latest insights
Engaging in creative processes helps you tap into your subconscious thoughts and emotions. Therefore, after engaging in creative activity, it is value setting aside time to reflect on what was created and what thoughts, emotions and observations it aroused.
This period of reflection enables participants to transform access to the subconscious into deeper, practical insight into their motivations, strengths and areas of development. This process could be greatly improved if, after a period of reflection, there is a group discussion during which team members share their work and the insights they have gained.
This step transforms individual experience into team bonding and collective knowledge, leading to potential insights. Group dialogue also builds empathy and understanding, helping team members higher appreciate each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
3. Create actionable insights
The final step is to transform the insights gained individually and collectively into actionable goals, tactics and development plans. Each team member and the group as a whole should have a set of goals and plans, which ensures that the Expressive Arts session will deliver substantive results and progress for the team. This exercise also helps link personal development to profession goals, aligning individual aspirations with team goals and increasing motivation and performance.
Incorporating expressive arts practices into a team’s routine can create a dynamic and cohesive work environment where creativity and emotional intelligence drive performance and innovation. Additionally, it is important to do not forget that leadership is not only about managing others – it’s about cultivating yourself to lead effectively.
Incorporating creative practices into your leadership routine increases self-awareness and emotional intelligence, which are crucial to personal and team success. Take this holistic approach to leadership, make it a part of your team’s collective life, and watch your team achieve and exceed their potential.