Written by Tyler Smith
I remember the excitement I felt to start a Master of Arts in Leadership program. It was an opportunity to take my interest in leadership to the next level. To flex my big leadership brain muscles and stride forward in confidence.
However…
I was dismayed that the program identified as an Art. This feeling remained with me for the full two years and some time after.
I remember thinking, “Art isn’t credible.” And, “Art is soft and weak.” And, “Why couldn’t it be associated with sciences or something more concrete.”
The irony of it all was that I spent my whole educational journey understanding and experiencing leadership as a subjective concept. This meant that leadership takes on the perceptions, skills, and identity of its host. Where all hosts are human. And humanity is unique. And therefore, the creation of that leadership experience is, in itself, new and unique.
With me so far?
But what is art?
As Seth Godin explains, art is naked and vulnerable and seeks to make a connection with its audience. Art fails from time to time… but not for lack of trying.
Naked and vulnerable.
Connection.
Failure.
These are not concepts to be taken lightly. The lens I had applied to art faded. Replaced with one that was bold and courageous, humble, untested, new and exciting and fearful.
Look around. Art is not as commonly displayed as we might think. We sit in meetings where we keep our best ideas to ourselves, we play it safe, stop short of taking initiative and we design a life where we cannot be blamed for failure.
Art lies beyond paintings hung in a gallery, graffiti on the wall, the sculpture to be admired. These are expressions of art, but as I have come to understand, art extends well beyond its stereotypes. Art pioneers new ideas, it provokes, takes risks, stands up, and stands out. Art discovers, inspires, deeply connects, creates tension, is imperfect… and sometimes fails.
We are drawn to it and taught to fear it. We are conflicted by a society that demands efficiency, mandatory success, and the avoidance of risk; a direct defiance of our innate tendencies to be curious and exploratory.
There is a reason art is the subject of my first post. Building up to this moment, I had struggled with the notion of putting my thoughts out there. At times, the vulnerability involved was overwhelming and incessant questions hampered my progress: What can I share that is important or influential? What if it is not well received? What if it is wrong?
So. What.
There will be those that will connect with it and love it, and there will be critics. I cannot control what people think but I can control what I am passionate about and what I create. The reaction is yours; the art is mine.
“When your art fails, make better art.”
- Seth Godin