The expressive and creative arts can include dance, music, voice, movement, writing, photography, drama and art, and are used daily for health, healing and therapy, and in business, for profit, in advertising, promotions and in communicating a message.
Why? There is power in these (often) non-verbal media for transformation, to facilitate change, for team building, for getting noticed and standing out.
What if you were to use these creative and expressive arts in the workplace?
In drama, you learn how to project your voice, to present yourself well in meetings and in public. Knowing how to use your voice well, can increase levels of confidence.
Music helps us deal with stress, relax, get energized and influences our mood. Non-verbal communication through music is more powerful for team building than words.
Dance and movement allow you to express yourself, to decrease frustrations, to de-stress and to stay in shape in a world of what I call “computer and television generated, increased, societal obesity.” In my opinion, by combining the arts, creativity and physical activity, we hold the key to decreasing rising obesity levels.
Art encourages self-expression and is something that we can all do, in our own way.
Writing is a non-verbal tool that can be used to motivate and to encourage each other, to share wisdom and knowledge and to communicate clearly. Interaction through creative writing today in business, is a necessity, as so much communication happens via email, web and your promotional materials.
How have some companies encouraged artistic expression and creativity in the workplace?
In the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, where I live, it is no wonder that Thrify’s grocery store continues to win awards for so many different reasons. In addition to their great staff, excellent customer service, wide range of products and affordable pricing strategy, did you know that Thrifty’s has staff create seasonal displays and decorations in the store? They have fun, enjoy doing it, and have a break from their regular routine, by purchasing materials or making decorations by hand. Staff also design their floral arrangements.
Art creates emotion. A local coffee shop has their staff create their own annual art show, where they take pride in displaying their own paintings, photography and art work.
Photography reaches where words cannot. A government social worker’s walls are filled with her own photographic works of art, and she benefits from compliments, an office which reflects back to her, her own creativity, and she gains recognition among her peers and clients. This also shows clients a more personal and warm side, to the human being behind the too often rigid government funding rules and regulations
Poetry quietly, and in a non-threatening way, inspires change. Another government social worker has her own writings and poetry framed and displayed on her office wall.
What are examples of creativity in your workplace? How is creativity expressed in your place of work? I would love to hear about it!
Email me at brenda [at] brendajohima ]dot] com if creativity is not happening, or is not permitted in your workplace (and believe me, I have heard this truth, far too many times) then phone me at (250) 335 – 1195 and I can help facilitate change! Let’s see what we can do together, to influence positive organizational change.
You can help people have a sense of ownership at work, to have pride, gain recognition and feel good, by having your staff have input in the design of ads, create displays, decorate, paint, create pamphlets, or assist with the content, or better yet, bring themselves, through their hobbies outside of their job description, to work. As a Creativity Coach and Consultant, I truly do want people to be happy at work, and to have the opportunity to fully express who they are, at work. Most of us spend more waking hours of our time at business and work than anywhere else. We must be happy there. As they say, “life is not a dress rehearsal.”
- brenda johima -
