se Dale Schwarz ASSOCIATION FOR QUALITY & PARTICIPATION Learn how incorporating visual expression into the workplace brings out creativity Making Art of Work ¢ysganizations would do well to DP create are rather than simply hang it. Artis one infrequently used approach that can help corganizanons enkance innovanve thinkung, decision making, and transition and change. Art provides access to difficult organizational sssues. This approach involves using simpie drawings, umages, and visual metaphors as 2 powerful means of communication. ie can help individuals, teams, and organ- izations tap into these imagina- tions, fieeing theic creative gents. Picture chis ‘A team of ten people works on a collage Wustrating what they reed from other team members ‘to become a cohesive team. In the past, not everyone contributed to discussions; people felt excluded and unseen, “To change that dynamic, my co-facilitator Guillermo Cuellar and I Fist created a learning environment by using a vatiety of anterveritions in which people could feel free to experiment. ‘Among these, we encouraged people to experiment with their ow agp org Copyright © 2001. All rights reserved. visual expression and reminded. them that there is no nght or wrong way to do the art; creativity 1s about just making it up Second, ‘we asked each team to consider what chey needed from each other to be most effective in ther jobs and to be a cohesive team. We then gunned them loose to create a collage on one large sheet of paper reflecting thss theme. ‘A shaft occurred while making the collage. Some cute out images from magazines. Others added their own drawings. They joked abour how they didn’t know how to draw. In a way this leveled che playing field, as most of them had. lueele artistic skill. But wt didn’t matter, Here they were working, together, al fully engaged in the task and having fun, Each person had the opportunity to melude his ‘or her image in the collage. As 1 observed them, it was as though 1 ‘were watching an orchestra play. Examumng what they had. created, they were amazed chat mn the end these separate images looked untfied. They began to appreciate what chey had created as a group. They noticed anemerging theme about connection. ‘There were images with circles of people, and images cf wires connecting many hads. They listened carefully as each team member pomted out the r images and spoke about the r contribu- tion. Everyone felt seen and heard. ‘The group realized that what had taken glace was 1 nev experience for them—one of overcoming an obstacie end. working collaboratively wath ease. ‘As one person put it “Hiving the pictures and symbols. makes it easier to ralk about cifficult copies. They are no longer so charged.” ‘One man said, “I feel a warmth among the group. I shinl. tcan be identified as community.” They returned to their work si e feeling the triumph of success and a sense of renewal; they had over2ome a dynamic that had or ce ben an obstacle. This new awareness began to change the way they u teracted ona daly basis. Images as catalysts Research shows us thet 660 percent of people provess information visually. Symbols area form of visual exprission used extensively by major zorforations. TThesr logos are visually simple but incredibly powerful. When we see those Golden Arches, oui brains register McDonald's. The Swoosh? Nike. A bitten apple orings Apple Computers to mind. Just by looking at the landscape of logos around us we can grasp the power of symbols. They not onl evoke recognition, but they also capture meaning end emotion. Tris meaningful form of som-nunica- tion needs to be harnessed and used more extensively within ongansations, not merely externally as a marketing tool. “Making art of work" offers us a different way t0 use symbols and images. Drawings help us identsfy and examine issues that are not eastly articulated through language alone. Evoking images and symbols helps us effectively access different :nformation than verbal, logical thinking does, When working with images, we access our right-brain thinking and connect with information that would not otherwise be available to us. Images take us to the heart of the matter by using vistal metaphors that provide a leap from one thought to another, They have multiple levels of meaning that are simultaneously perceived and therefore enable a fuller understanding, Because metaphors span mental boundaries, they help us break through the compartmentalized thinking patterns that we often depend upon to solve problems, from this approach because they would feel inhibited or assume it takes talent to make simple drawings. I have found this not to be the case. The fact chat most people are not adept at drawing and creating art curns out 0 bea plus. Because the activity is not based on talent or ability, people feel they are on a level playing field. ‘They are free to make stick figures, symbols—whatever has meaning for them. The only requirement is the willingness to experiment. The art ofconversation ‘The story at the beginning of this article is a composite example oF how we work with groups. I help people use art as a point of departure to gain insight, work more effectively and joyfully, and learn about their creative process for professional and personal development. Sometimes groups making art together reenact their WHEN GROUPS WORK WITH IMAGES, THEY. SPONTANEOUSLY EVOKE VISUAL ARCHETYPES AND THEMES THAT BUILD RESONANCE AND COMMON GROUND. Because images are concrete, we can communicate to others by showing whar we mean. Working with images helps people express spititual and deeply held values in ways that are hard to articulate. When groups work with images, they spontaneously evoke visual archetypes and chemes chat build resonance and common ground. Can't draw = straight tine? ‘You may already be thinking that many people would shy away dynarnics while they create images. Once the art 1s completed, having the “art-i-fact” for the group to ‘view and tatk about makes it possible to reflect upon and discuss the content of these dynarmics. The art is observable dara. For example, if some team members claim a lor of space on the paper for their images as compared to others who place their images on the edges, this 1s obscrvable information and can be discussed. The art provides us with a tangible record of the ‘Spring 2001 | Tue Journat For QuaurTy& Parniciranion | 55 Copyright © 2001. All rights reserved.process we hi ne through while creating the smage. ‘The art process can be used to addi ge of group ssues, from helping solv blem to coming up wi ss a broat sdea to express feelings about a work dy action. This pans the that Roger Schwarz defines as basic ro developmental facilitation (The Skilled Facistator, Jossey-Bass, 1994). a team, working on a par cular problem while re problem-solving pro up to gain slulls so they ca these issues on their own in n isto help groups busld their effect Guiding groups through these experiences requires a skilled facil process of making art in the workplace appea simple, itis actually complex. (Often what starts out as a basic facilitation develop ror because alth to be very ASSOCIATION FOR QUALITY & PARTICIPATION Schwarz facilitates a group as members discuss cheir arowork. facilitars ns of che art that is knowing ful learning environment, and managing the results onee the art compleze af the discussion begins, Art has th potential of taking people very through and in fess th tanning 2 . By using are their goals and develop skills and qualities that translate to fut situations. We use a wide range of rentions. These include having groups argue on paper, lave rocessing their disagreement, wing symbols of successfull and sw agp org Copyright © 2001. All rights reserved. unsuccessful projects in order to learn by contrast what the group g the benefits a Amor + Experiments in have art creatio no negate Therefore, they offer an ideal riskefree laboratory for research, development, and expenmentation. This behavior helps to free the ming and open ew avenues of thinking and behaving, + Not knowing the outcome or final resuit of the creation— allowing it to emerge and staying with the process—requires the release of control. This can feel risky, but can help us develop the capacity to ride the unknowns of organvzational life + With art we can practice beginner's mind. “In the beginner's mind there are many possbilites, but in 5 Few” (Zen Mina Begnner's Mind, Shuncyu Sukuki, Weatherhill, 1970). Engaging ima new and different art expert's there medium where we may not have expertise engages our playful human nature and enables us to see in new ways,make fresh connections, and generate new ideas. 3) Devetopmng team, mentoring, aad supervsory relationships * Creating artis about buiding a relationship wath the materials, the process, yourself, and others. leis a visual conversation, The more we know and trust ourselves, the more we can ‘rust others and enhance relationships. * We can develop compassion for ourselves and others through laddeessing the inner crc. Inevitably, while making ars, the voice of the inner critic gets louder, eg., “My picture doesn’t look night. Other people know how to do this better than I do.” ‘Taking responsibility for and grappling with this part of ourselves, we are faced with our judgments of selfand others. Growing our compassion helps us take ownership for our actions and lay less blame on others. Apiace for making art at work ‘One of the ways organizations can support these anterventions 1s to have a dedicated space While these activines could take place within exsting work settings, ideally would like to se corporations establish environ- ments that I call Creativity Fitness Centets™, These Centers are physical environments located on- site in workplaces where individuals and teams gather to generate ideas, enhance creatmity and innovation, solve problems, and build community, These spaces are outfitted with arc materials, books, and music—materials to stimalate the rmagination~along with work areas for inciuduals and reams. A trained facalttator 1s avatlable to Jend support for the pactsipants’ creative process, The facilitator has activities and ideas to help him or her use these materials to engage their project or team building needs. Creativity Fitness Centers are based or the premise that changing, the space and the acnvity helps to change the conversation. “Yo have a different kind of conversation about issues we Face at work, we need to use different tools. By making art of work we can fully tap into our creative resources and expand out views. ‘The organvation 1s a canvas, and uts palette of colors 1s matless. ate Schwa vs cofounder ofthe Centr for Create Consccuanessm Sunderland, ‘Massechusett, an org zateon offering workshops, consulting, ond coaching nereatinty and mnoeaton for corporetions, nonprofit ‘organza, and ndanduats She s 6 Regstored Art Therapist and a mat media artist Schwarz can be reached at [413-665-4880 or ve e-mail at dalectrocreote org You cae wt the Center's website at ww terete org ASSOGATION FOR QUALITY & PARTICPATION Understanding the Baldrige Self-Assessment for Education A course for designing high performing educational systems March 18-49, 2001 + Chicago, Hilinois School leaders are facing a new century with the greatest challenges in the history of the education system. ‘The Baldrige Award Criteria for Education provides a framework for those organizations seeking excellence in meeting these challenges through woridclass quality management, This comprehensive workshop provides participants with key strategies and tools to conduct a selfassessment using the 2001 Baicrige Award Criteria for Education. The workshop focuses on using the self-assessment as a too! for managing change. Emphasis will be placed on conducting the assessment, dealing with buyin, and driving improvements based on the findings. Course highlights: Participate in assessing and scoring an education system using @ simulation. Create an action plan for preparing and conducting an assessment, identifying obstacles, and driving improvements. Learn to turn a selfassessment into a Baldrige or state-evel award application. Learn how the Baldrige criteria can help you become @ world-class educational institution. For more information or to register call Customer Service at 800-733-3310 or visit www.agp.org. If you are interested in bringing this course to your facility, please contact Matt Hobbs at 800-733-3310, ext. 101. weap org Copyright © 2001. All rights reserved.