Insights · September 10th, 2008
The Future of Leadership: Moving through Complexity
We’ve become aware of an interesting trend in leadership development: exploring expression and movement as a method for engaging change.
I just returned from the launch of a leadership program offered by the Banff Centre in Alberta: Powerful Expressions – Leadership that Moves Us. The first of a 4-part series on creative expression and leadership, this session focused on kinesthetic awareness, somatic (body-oriented) intelligence, awareness of human and natural systems, and methods of creating embodied leadership. Dancer and choreographer Wendy Morris, one of the facilitators, maintains that the natural affinity between leadership and movement is now really starting to emerge into organizational awareness. (Peter Senge’s recent work with dancer and choreographer Arawana Hayashi is one example.)
I was struck by a remark Morris made about managing rapid and complex change. In her experience, by engaging others in a creative process that evokes authentic presence, tremendous positive outcomes can be indentified and implemented in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods.
As we chart our course into an increasingly complex future, we may do well to explore these creative innovations. We’ll have more to say about this in upcoming blogs.
Author: Amy Frazier is an arts-based consultant and speaker, and worked as Director of Programs and Marketing at Futurist.com. Learn more about bringing the wisdom of the arts into the workplace at Stages of Presence.com.
