Why STEM Won’t Produce the Seeds for a Better Tomorrow

 I have no doubt that a rigorous education that includes science, technology, engineering and math is needed to equip our children and the upcoming generation of those we will entrust our world to – with the tools they will need to deal with the ever increasing complexities of the modern life we have created – with all of it’s benefits and all the related problems. I also believe that no tools alone will solve all of our problems – or bring about the innovation that will continue to improve life and society. All tools require skill. And skill cannot be assumed by understanding the principles of a tool or even it’s potential and in most cases – by simply handling them. Most skills are developed with some kind of guidance – either from others or occasionally from oneself with a commitment to learning, dedication to practice and a sense of what real competence looks like. This guidance, or leadership – is the critical difference.

Pure science is founded in exploration. And exploration needs leadership. Scientists may strive to make sense of the random chaos of the world – but without some method, and without a sense of purpose – there is no efficacy in their work. Worse – random, ambling research can contribute to the chaos by either creating more problems than it solves – or overlooking the solutions that could be uncovered. Knowing one’s aim and having a sense of purpose are the foundation of leadership. The greatest minds in history were guided by an inner sense of purpose. They somehow knew that they needed to use the gifts of their minds to unlock nature’s mysteries and beliefs about “why” they were here on earth fueled their drive to accomplish meaningful things. And many discoveries were the product of great collaborations.

While rigorous academics such as math and science do not preclude developing one’s leadership skills, I believe that the source of that development is more rooted in the arts. I am far from alone in this line of thinking. There is a rapidly growing movement among academics and learning-activists to incorporate arts education in the STEM foundation – referring to the new movement as STEAM. Some of that driving evidence suggests that study of the arts actually facilities a better understanding of mathematical and scientific principles – and helps foster innovation. While I certainly believe this is true – I think the broadly overlooked benefit is the inextricable connection between the arts and leadership.

The arts, including communication, fine art, performing art have been a vital part of humanity and our cultural fabric enriched, encouraged and explained through painting, music, literature, and dance. But art is much more than artifacts. The arts are the expression of human creative skills and imagination – and often the epitome of this expression as it expands our understanding of human potential – ever bit as much as our advances in science and technology do. But it is the impact of art on our thinking and our formation of who we are that is so intrinsic the connection between art and leadership.

Years ago I was hired in a leadership role to work with a group of extremely talented engineers and scientists in a breakthrough-technology driven business venture. I was the only non-technical person on the team. Yet the lead scientist and others all felt that my role was critical to their success. They described the role I performed as an “applied technologist” – a critical link that could explain the potential of their work to potential beneficiaries of their work in the marketplace – and translate the market needs back to them to solve. They were dependent on my imagination, insight and communication skills to articulate the problems that they could solve, knowing that before any problem can be solved – it must be described.

The arts not only stir our imagination – they evoke powerful emotions: they make us feel. Art continuously expands the boundaries of observation, or human performance and of communication. The arts teach us to confront the unknown and get comfortable around the idea of being uncomfortable, causing us to challenge the status quo – and give birth to experimentation. The performing arts encourage collaboration. And all arts reflect our cultural values, challenge our beliefs and evoke images of the future we strive to create. In these ways, the arts shape the thinking that is vital to leadership – whether we need to lead others – or simply best lead our own lives. It is when we are most uncomfortable that we are most apt to change.

It is no accident or point of confusion that we conjoined “arts and science” in the academic lexicon. It was not just a definition of a complete and well-rounded education. It is the distilled essence of the fuel that drives humankind forward in sustainable ways. It is what brings conscience and competence together on the same page – and fosters the combined curiosity and reason that stimulates innovation and discover.

It is the leadership we need that will suffer if we overlook the need for the arts in society – and especially in how we develop the minds of our youth. The arts are not the product of a vibrant culture – they are the cause of that vibrancy.