Leadership lessons from the world of ART
Finding the problem (and not the solution) – Most of us are very solution-oriented. We jump at problems with the intent of solving them. However, what I have discovered is that art can help you find the problem in the first place before you go on the solution finding mission. Sometimes despite your best efforts, the painting just doesn’t feel right – it’s not what you wanted it to be, the final effect is not what you intended and you have this great sense of unease that something is missing. It’s not very evident. Sometimes, I stare at a painting from different distances and angles for prolonged periods, which gives a different perspective every time and can help find the missing dimension. Sometimes, taking a break helps to put my thoughts together and I take a break to return with a different frame of mind. And sometimes, I take refuge within my near and dear ones and ask for their advice
Lesson – Don’t worry about solving a problem. First try to under the problem better using different perspectives, before attempting to solve it
It’s OK to make mistakes - Every stroke of the brush creates a new effect. While in school, we were taught to be very careful about certain things – the exactness of lines and shapes, coloring within borders, etc. However, as I see today, it’s perfectly fine for some color to splash out, it’s OK not to adhere to strict forms or shapes and it’s OK to have random brush strokes. Each of these creates a different visual impact, something unplanned but yet something which adds another dimension to the entire artwork. That’s why in recent times, I have ventured into the world of abstract art.
Lesson - It’s OK to make mistakes. There is no right or wrong in this world. It’s all about perspective. Every so-called mistake also adds to your experience and life skills, so don’t be afraid to do something beyond the conventions.
Balance and subtlety - While I did not study the color wheel so much when I began painting, over time, I did realize that there needs to be a balance in art – a balance of colors, tone, and texture. Sometimes, a small stroke of color in a corner of a painting can add the missing sense of balance. The same goes for life. Same with our personalities. If you study the wheel of life, you will realize that there needs to be a balance in different dimensions in our lives – study, work, family, friends, society, health, etc. And adding that extra stroke in our life can create the missing balance overall. Sometimes, it might be a subtle change, but that itself can make a huge difference in the way people perceive us e.g., a subtle change in the way we talk to people can bring a totally different dimension of our personality to the forefront.
Lesson – Never underestimate the importance of balance and subtlety in our lives
End goals may change – Typically, as I begin to paint, I have a vague idea of what I want to paint and what it would look like. However, in some cases, the final painting is very different from what I originally envisioned. The beauty of this is that I have the full freedom to decide when the painting is complete. I have the freedom to decide the journey itself as the painting unfolds over time. And when I am happy and satisfied with the final effect, I call it completed (irrespective of what I had in mind originally). In life, we are sometimes very particular about goals and milestones. We don’t enjoy the journey as much as our focus is more on achieving the present goals. That makes life fiercely competitive and like a rat race. Very seldom do we let the goals be determined by the journey we undertake. But imagine you started a road journey with some destination in mind, but wherever you end up is what you treat as your final destination – wouldn’t that give you a feeling of immense satisfaction and contentment?
Lesson – Wherever you are in life, it's perfect and that’s where you are supposed to be. Enjoy the journey and don’t worry too much about the goals. You and only you have the power to decide the course of your life and where you want to be.
Hopefully, you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing this down. Want to end this by sharing some of my artwork below – do share your comments/feedback.
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