An academic paper released this month revealed findings from a study which began in 2012, indicating the impact of using arts-based methods in business on topics including creative thinking skills, collaboration, innovation and transferability. The research study, conducting by Harvey Seifter and supported by the National Science Foundation, examined the results of a group of adults who work in the fields of science, technology, education or math (STEM) as well as a group of high school adolescents who experienced training that included the use of a variety of arts-based methodologies.
“The use of arts-based methods in such trainings result in statistically significant increases in creative and critical thinking, sharing leadership, emotionally intelligent behavior, empathic listening, mutual respect, trust, active following and transparency as well as insight, clarity and problem solving. ”
These results were compared with a control group of the same demographic but who experienced the latest in traditional training methodologies for creativity, innovation and collaboration. The findings demonstrate that the use of arts-based methods in such trainings result in statistically significant increases in creative and critical thinking, sharing leadership, emotionally intelligent behavior, empathic listening, mutual respect, trust, active following and transparency as well as insight, clarity and problem solving.
The study also revealed that participants in the arts-based training were able to make much more transfer from the training to their daily work and lives than in the control group. This study confirms the movement and arts-based methodology used by MOVE Leadership and the powerful impact that it has in transforming challenges for our clients. It specifically highlights how important it is to include these methodologies as standard practice for trainings, workshops and off-sites where improvement or transformation in some of the above themes are part of the desired objectives. For more information and to read the full study click here.