Arts-based Dialogue as a Catalyst for Strategic Conversations

Turn leaden thinking into the gold of wisdom through arts-based dialogue

Frustrated by stagnant ideas and disengaged employees? Spark creativity, ignite conversation, and unlock breakthrough ideas through transformational arts-based dialogue and strategic conversations.

If your group is working on solving complex human-centred problems, then consider using art as a catalyst to spark new insights and perspectives. Arts-based dialogue is effective in both in-person and virtual environments. It is especially helpful in bringing more energy and humanity to a virtual space.

Why Art?

Art has the ability to engage individuals on an emotional and sensory level, enabling them to connect with complex ideas and concepts in a way that traditional learning methods often cannot. It allows learners to tap into their creative side, which in turn fosters mental agility, innovative thinking, problem-solving and adaptability.

Moreover, our brains are made for enjoying art. Viewing paintings engages a number of different regions of the brain, suggesting art appreciation is a natural biological process, according to a report in the June issue of the journal Brain and Cognition. The study found that “paintings activated areas of the brain involved in vision, pleasure, memory, recognition and emotions, in addition to systems that underlie the conscious processing of new information to give it meaning.” (WSJ June 16, 2014 )

Art is an invitation to have a conversation

Art is an instrument for meaning-making, sense-making, image-making and creating deeper levels of conversation about what matters. Arts-based learning develops creativity, community and connection. Art forms may include drawing, painting, sculpting and storytelling,
Art is a potent catalyst for a deeper inquiry into business issues, providing the means for ‘artful reflection’ in organizational development. Through art, we can make it safe to ask the deeper questions that lead to the emotional truth about a situation.
Art creates a bonding experience that facilitates collaboration and accelerates the ability to get to the heart of a problem. Collaborative art-making processes help nurture relationships between dissimilar groups, fostering an appreciation for diverse and pluralistic points of view.
The arts play vital roles in helping us find our authentic voice, and remembering who we are as human beings. I believe when we are in touch with our humanity, we envision better futures, make wiser decisions, and create sustainable enterprises.

The importance of dialogue

Dialogue is characterized by incisiveness, creativity, and synergizing diverse points of view into a cohesive understanding that illuminates new insights, enabling decision-making and action. The quality of dialogue determines the quality of idea generation, problem–solving and how people make decisions. How people feel about one another impacts the outcome of these decisions.

Harness the power of visual dialogue

Inquiry that provokes new insights, connections, possibilities, and directions
Visual Literacy and Observation: The ability to observe, think critically and make meaning from images and information presented
Cross-pollinating ideas: Thinking together, across cultures, networks and disciplines
Connecting: Linking ideas that aren’t obviously related. Connecting the unconnected to produce new ideas
Experimenting intellectually and experientially. Learning by doing. Rehearsing “what if” options that lead to meaningful insights
Active Listening: Listening to learn, rather than gather ammunition for an argument
Reflecting through painting or drawing and dialogue
Designing strategies, actions and viable solutions.

Outputs

Discover shared meaning
Discuss, compare and record insights.
Look for the emerging story. What are the possibilities?
Access collective intelligence
Fresh thinking, new ideas and perspectives

Capacity building

Artful reflection: Learning to decode complexity and ambiguity
Enhanced communication and connection
Cultivating Creativity & Innovation
Improving collaboration and teamwork
Values creation and meaningful work
Appreciative Inquiry and leading change
Capturing and visualizing tacit knowledge
Idea-generating and problem-solving

Unleash the power of art to unlock hidden potential and find solutions beyond the ordinary.

Case Studies:

Using the arts as a catalyst for transformation
Why Art? Reflections on Art and Leadership at a CEO Roundtable Retreat
Painting a Conversation: One leader’s reflection on the creative process