Art; watercolour and ink pen, by Diana Green, artist and author.
Copyright Diana Green 2020.
Being a creator at work and in life;
In an organizational setting transformation is often spoken about, yet it appears to be difficult for people who work in this space to describe what it actually is. I do not claim to say what it is either.
At a seminar, held at Focus Core, in Tokyo, Japan, participants who were the creators, spoke with mind and heart: depth, compassion, inspiration, new awareness, curiosity and interest.
The session, was based on ‘People Transformation’, I describe this as “a crossing (trans), in to form (formation), the mind (thought) and the heart, (creation).”
Crossing in to form; “Trans-formation”
Commencing with an activity designed to introduce an experience of being the ‘makers’, as creators. There were no set outcomes, pre-definitions, objectives, structures or goals to work to or to achieve. The mode or ‘way to do’ was based upon a loosely constructed framework. Participants were instructed in how to hold the ‘marker’ (pastel) and how to place the ‘support’ (paper) and guided into a process that pointed to being still and to relax.
It was organic in delivery and designed to focus upon the art of ‘Mark Making’. This less linear way allows the mind to explore and expand from multiple perspectives.
Under the surface of thinking;
There is a knowing from the inside out, as ‘an awareness’. This is like taking time out, a space, for an unknown, an opportunity for something different to emerge.
Throughout the session, an unanticipated inquiry was explored as the group became excited and passionate to see, learn and discover their ‘Marks’ and those of other participants.
Discovery;
Taking this approach offers opportunities to integrate both thinking and creation.
It is a discovery, an uncovering of an unintended or unexpected thing or situation or way of doing, it is like a search where unexpectedly something comes to the surface.
Transformation;
Their actions became the journey of ‘transformation’ even though not overtly noted, they became ‘the transformed’ generating a sense of inspiration and enthusiasm as they communicated across the group.
Curiosity is stimulated through randomly created stepping stones; clearing a way of what was thought ‘to be known’, to find no set thing. It was not reliant on old habits or patterns that tend to be the norm in work place protocol.
It is in this type of exploration other ways are seen and can be known. Is it the essence of our human-ness revealed?
This intersection of ‘mark making’, creating, and the ‘world of work’, thinking, appears to create a shift in perspective opening up new possibilities. ‘We are ourselves transformed’.
It could be an opening for integration of both the mind and heart. The experiential nature of this ‘Art’ in an organisation is the platform for new qualities that emerge to form healthy conversations at work and in life.