Category: Art

art over science

Art Over Science

Art over science – perhaps it is just possible that the arts can teach us as much as hard science..? The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI as it’s more commonly referred to is perhaps the most widely used of all psychological assessments. Now more than 50 years since it was first utilised it seems that its time may be up.

An MBTI test involves answering many multiple choice questions, the results of which fall into one of sixteen identifiable personality types. The test has been used by over 10,000 companies and countless governments and universities. It is estimated that at least 50 million people have undertaken the test at some point in their lives.

MBTI – Still Relevant..?

Like many personality models or behaviour models being peddled today MBTI grew out from psychological research. Whilst such models can certainly be useful indicators re: an individual’s personality style or behavioural tendencies, they remain just that: an indication and nothing more. There is a certain rigidity to defining people in such a pigeon holing manner which is surly questionable.

There are of course dozens of models on the market now all purporting to illuminate some previously hidden aspect of our natures. It rather seems that psychology sees itself as very important, serious stuff without which we could not possibly hope to understand ourselves.

Contrast this approach with themes presented in a non-didactic manner throughout great drama. The power of storytelling may outweigh any supposedly scientific approach to behavioural study. Is it possible that we could gain a greater insight into our behaviour through watching and closely observing fiction than we ever could through cold, robotic psychological testing..?

Sartaj Garewal is the founder of Dynamic Presenting – a creative, leadership development consultancy, adapting theatre training to create leadership programs for business.

Dynamic Presenting – Enabling Powerful Communication

Art & Business

Art and Business – An Interesting Relationship

Art and Business are polar opposites right? Making money surely has nothing to do with a purely artistic endeavour?

At Dynamic Presenting, we believe there is a much closer relationship between art and business than perhaps many would readily accept. Of course everyone knows that art is a huge business, epitomised by characters such as artist/entrepreneur Damian Hirst who has arguably made making money his principal art form much like the average hedge fund manager does. And after all, hedge fund managers have been most keen to acquire the type of conspicuous, seemingly over-priced art that Hirst has produced.

Learning From each Other…

We would go further – art and business can and should learn a lot from each other. Theatre companies, actors, writers, painters, sculptors, stand up comedians, dancers, film makers… et al could all further their respective causes by observing business people. Artists could learn a lot about organising their work, finances, marketing, setting goals etc. Similarly corporate folk most used to using the logical and strategic quadrants of the brain could through improvisation and artistic freedom learn to innovate and think differently – how often do we read business articles where company heads bemoan the lack of innovation in their ranks?

Dynamic Presenting aims to build a bridge between art and business in order to nurture healthy dialogue between them. We adapt exercises from theatre rehearsals in order to energise and develop the presentations, pitches, speeches and communication of business leaders.

Ajaz Ahmed makes some interesting points in his Guardian article about the sometimes uneasy overlap between art and business

http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/media-network-blog/2013/oct/16/bridging-gap-art-business

Sartaj Garewal is the founder of Dynamic Presenting – a creative, leadership development consultancy, adapting theatre training to create leadership programs for business.

Dynamic Presenting – Enabling Powerful Communication