The Connection Magazine A.I.M. Mutual Fall 2016 | Page 11

“Why do business experts
continue to ignore the
incredible leadership
teachings that come
from the arts? “
4. Implement Big Picture Thinking
From the day you take a role in a production,
art project or film, you immediately understand
that you are part of something much bigger
than yourself. The size of your contribution only
matters as far as it contributes to the quality
and impact of the whole. Artists willingly accept
this approach, as the entire success of output
is dependent upon the merit of what they can
deliver. Nepotism, longevity and cronyism may
provide opportunity, but only true connection with
the customer creates longevity. That forces all
successful artists to submit their often-large egos
to the service of the overall experience. Those
who lead others collaboratively to do the same are
rewarded with continued opportunity and success.
Those who are selfish or stuck in their own vision
are doomed to poverty and dissatisfaction.
You can gain these same lessons by engaging in
the arts. Community theater, orchestras, galleries
and dance companies are all amazing laboratories
for creativity, communication and yes, leadership.
People in the arts have these leadership concepts
ingrained into them through repetitive, practical
application. So if your engineers, sales people and
managers are coming up short in these leadership
areas, perhaps you should consider hiring a few
theater, dance, art or music graduates to show
them how it’s done.

Kevin Daum
Kevin Daum is the best selling author of Video Marketing
for Dummies and ROAR! Get Heard in the Sales and
Marketing Jungle; and columnist for Inc.com and
Contributing Editor at Young Presidents’ Organization
(YPO). Mr. Daum is an Inc. 500 CEO, with more than $1 billion
in sales record, who grew his online audience from 50,000
followers to more than 800,000 in less than 18 months.

FALL 2016

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