Tried & True III: Article VII, Exposing Poetry

Poetry often exists on the periphery of business and research, but its potential to transform those domains are profound. At On the Rise Coaching and Consulting, we explore unconventional methods to enhance business culture and client interactions. This article delves into how poetry can be integrated into qualitative research and business practices, drawing from recent studies and real-world examples.

Poetry Workshops {Bridging Art and Business}

Poetry workshops are not just for aspiring writers; they can be a powerful tool for businesses looking to foster creativity, empathy, and deeper connections within their teams. By exposing employees to poetry, organizations can create a space for reflection, innovation, and a richer understanding of their work and each other.

"These days, ideas take flight, bouncing off the rhythm of community and homes, A rhythm of internet, rhythm of automation, Transforming lives into data."

Take for example this poem that reflects on how the recent changes in rigid structure, with the rise of new technology have transformed innovation, life and business leading to changes in how individuals connect.

Poetry in Qualitative Research

In qualitative research, poetry offers a unique way to capture and convey the lived experiences of individuals. Skukauskait? (2024) highlights how exposing scholars to poetry can enrich their understanding and teaching of qualitative methodologies. Poetry, as both a research tool and a form of expression, allows researchers to distill complex emotions and experiences into a few powerful lines, making the data more accessible and impactful.

Mullens, Skukauskaite, and Mitchell (2024) further explore this idea, demonstrating how poetry can be used in teaching and learning qualitative research. They argue that poetry helps to bridge the gap between the researcher and the subject, fostering a deeper connection and understanding. As both qualitative research and poetry "share understanding of living and what it is like 'to be there' [by bringing] the richness of experience into language" (Galvin & Todres, 2009, p.309), poetry becomes an essential tool for researchers looking to capture the essence of human experiences.

Results on Business Culture {The Poetry of Interaction}

Integrating poetry into business practices can have a significant impact on company culture. A business that embraces poetic inquiry may find that its employees are more engaged, empathetic, and creative. This cultural shift can lead to better client interactions, as employees bring a deeper understanding of human emotions and experiences into their work.

Applying Poetry to Client Interactions

Consider a company that was struggling with client satisfaction. The leadership team decided to implement a series of poetry workshops to help employees connect more deeply with their work and their clients. Through these workshops, employees began to see their clients not just as customers but as individuals with unique stories and needs. This shift in perspective led to more personalized and empathetic interactions, resulting in a significant improvement in client satisfaction and loyalty.

Qualitative Methodologies {Integrating Poetry}

To integrate poetry into qualitative research or business practices, consider the following methodologies:

1. Poetic Inquiry: Use poetry to explore and express research findings, capturing the emotional and experiential aspects of the data.
2. Poetic Synthesis: As described by the British Psychological Society, this approach involves synthesizing qualitative data into poetic form, making the findings more accessible and engaging.
3. Collaborative Poetry Workshops: Conduct workshops where participants create poems based on their experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of the research or business context.

At On the Rise Coaching and Consulting, we believe that integrating poetry into qualitative research and business practices can lead to profound insights and transformations. By embracing the power of poetry, businesses can foster a culture of empathy, creativity, and deeper connection, ultimately enhancing their interactions with clients and their overall success.

References:

• Skukauskait?, A. (2024). Exposing Scholars to Poetry for Teaching Qualitative Research. The Qualitative Report, 29(5), 1437-1442. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.7291
• Mullens, A., Skukauskaite, A., & Mitchell, M. K. (2024). Poetry in Teaching & Learning Qualitative Research. The Qualitative Report, 29(6), 1548-1564. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.7336
• Galvin, K. T., & Todres, L. (2009). Embodying Nursing Openheartedness: An Existential Perspective. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 47(9), 309.

At On the Rise Coaching and Consulting, we are dedicated to exploring and integrating innovative approaches to enrich business culture and client relations. By exposing businesses to the transformative power of poetry, we help them build stronger, more empathetic, and ultimately more successful teams.