What Drawing Taught Us About True Connection

Hello,

Last week, I experienced something extraordinary: within the first fifteen minutes of our session, five corporate leaders were moved to tears. While I never intend to make executives cry, seeing it happen signifies a profound and meaningful shift. Let me explain:

Being in the Present

We began with a simple yet profound drawing exercise called a blind contour line drawing. The rules were straightforward: keep the pen on the paper, don’t look at your drawing, and stay silent.

As they sketched in silence, the atmosphere shifted. Smiles began to spread, and a sense of calm settled over the room. I asked them to reflect on the experience, write down three wishes for their partner’s well-being, and then share them aloud.

Instead of the laughter I expected from their Picasso-like sketches, the room was filled with heartfelt emotion. Two adults even sat on the floor, one of them discretely weeping.

Drawing as a Form of Listening

In the debrief, one partner shared that in all the years they had worked together, this was the first time they had truly seen each other. His wish for her was what she wished for herself. This moment of silent connection was transformative. The activity set the stage for the deeper collaborative work to begin.?

Sometimes, drawing can be a form of listening. By creating awareness and space for others, it embodies the essence of listening. Later, we explored how integrating images into our processes can quiet our minds, allowing us to not only understand ourselves but truly hear the essence of what is being said. This is listening with empathy, a tool that leaders can use to guide their teams through change with compassion.

Dive into our "Art of Listening" workshop and discover how you can harness the power of empathy and active listening in your leadership journey. Let's continue exploring and creating spaces for deeper connections together.

Read our blog "Listening is Our Most Powerful Gift: The Art of Attention" and learn FOUR ways to create impact through listening!

See How TwoLine Use Active Listening

Join TwoLine Studios as we continue our journey of the transformative impact of active listening. Stay connected with us on social media to stay updated on our upcoming events and learn how we can assist you in achieving your goals.

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?? Ready to Elevate Your Event? TwoLine Studios ensures that visuals engage, stories captivate, and teams transform.?If this sounds like what your next conference needs, let's talk! Forward this message to your team or event planner, and let's bring the visual storytelling magic to your next big event. Make sure to book a graphic recording for your next conference.?

Heather Willems?