5 Things Art Taught Me About Being a CEO.

Society stereotypes artists as people who focus solely on expression and refuse to conform to the working world. But the reality is very different. Professional artists can be businesspeople too, and vice versa. We see the growing numbers of artists and creative entrepreneurs who are excelling in their crafts and making valuable contributions to the world. A new breed of artists is growing their network, creating jobs, and becoming a major force in national and global economies. Coming from an art and design background, allows me to articulate and apply many facets of being a creative thinker to the business world, here are the 5 key points:

1. Divergent Thinking is a Strength

You should be building your own sense of identity and narrative because you are made of more than one facet of your life. To be divergent is also represented in the way you think. It is a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. There should not be a single pathway to untangle a business challenge, foster growth, or lead change. You have to learn to use both the left and right brain, have the ability to think outside the box, see the patterns and connect the dots.

2. Perfection is a Myth

If you spend so much time trying to be perfect before you do anything, or waiting for something to be “just right” before you take a step, you’ll never actually accomplish your goals. It’s a natural part of the creative process to identify necessary change. And managing that change is a natural part of business leadership. Yes, change can be frustrating at times, but it most often creates unforeseeable possibilities. It's how you look at it.

3. Drive the Process

The process of how we do things can often reveal a lot about who we are and what we value. The process is at the heart of our daily lives and the decisions we make. It shapes how we approach tasks, how successful our outcomes will be, and what principles we use to get to where we need to be. And oftentimes, you can learn many?things about a person through their process.

4. Setting Time to Reflect

As a business leader, it's easy to get caught up in the fast-paced world of business and forget to take a step back to reflect. However, as I've learned through my experience in the art world, setting aside time for reflection is crucial for personal growth and success. Just as artists must step back and analyze their work in progress, Business leaders should make time to reflect on their decisions and strategies. This allows for a clearer understanding of what's working and what's not and helps to identify areas for improvement. Reflection can also provide a much-needed break from the chaos of daily business operations, allowing for a fresh perspective and renewed energy.?

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5. Connect the Dots

To make sense of the unknown, we must be able to learn, understand, and see with new eyes. Look from the outside in. A new perspective emerges when we can visualize how ideas or concepts interrelate. When we underestimate the power of making connections, we create silos in our homes, communities, and workplaces. Nature does not operate in this manner.

"The art of business lies not in perfection, but in the process of constant improvement and reflection."