How to Create a Positive Work Environment As a Leader
A leader's well-being is the cornerstone of effective team management. When leaders support their own and their team's well-being through the practice they create a positive environment that fosters self-awareness, trust, collaboration and productivity within their teams.
Related: The Thriving Leader: Steps to Mental Wellness and Peak Effectiveness
Lessons to Become a Good Leader
1. Identify your creative outlet and set a regular time for creative activities
Start by identifying a creative activity that resonates with you. This could be anything from painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument. The key is to choose something that allows you to express yourself freely, whether that involves journaling, doodling or keeping an art journal.
To incorporate Expressive Arts in your team, dedicate specific times in your team’s schedule for these activities. Regardless of the specific activities or timing, consistency is critical for reaping the benefits of creative exploration. Williams typically works with teams over a 6-month period, meeting with them for a 3-hour monthly session.
2. Crystallize new insights
Engaging in creative processes helps you tap into your subconscious thoughts and emotions. Therefore, after engaging in the creative activity, it is essential to reserve time to reflect on what was created and what thoughts, emotions and insights it stirred.
This reflection period enables participants to turn their access to the subconscious into deeper, actionable insights into their motivations, strengths and areas for growth. This process can be greatly enhanced if, following the reflection period, a group discussion is held where team members share their creations and insights gained.
This step converts individual experience into team bonding and collective knowledge, leading to potential takeaways. The group dialogue also builds empathy and understanding, helping team members better appreciate each other’s vulnerabilities and strengths
3. Create actionable takeaways
The final step is converting the insights gained individually and collectively into actionable goals, tactics and development plans. Each team member and the group as a whole should have a set of goals and plans, which ensures that the Expressive Arts session yields substantive outcomes and progress for the team. This exercise also helps link personal growth with professional objectives, aligning individual aspirations with team goals and boosting motivation and performance.
Embedding Expressive Arts practices into your team’s routine can create a dynamic and cohesive work environment where creativity and emotional intelligence drive performance and innovation. Additionally, it is important to remember that leadership is not just about managing others — it’s about nurturing yourself to lead effectively.