Flow Project's Vision

The Flow Project Research Program in Art and Leadership

When the practice of leadership and teaching are recognized as art and artistry, we are honoring the capacity of every human being to respond to the cries and wonder of the world as an artist and to co-create with others; that is, to cultivate a collective creativity—a shared excellence in the art of life—a practice rigorous in its own terms.

Vision for Leadership: What this program will contribute to the field of leadership

The multiple crises we face globally—climate change, pollution, economic instability, food and water shortages, peak oil, virulent antagonism, terrorism, and systemic collapse—require concerted action to resolve. To resolve these crises we need to act with a sense of common purpose and shared vision.

We envision leaders who communicate a shared vision and instill a sense of common purpose in their organizations and the global community.

We envision leaders who teach people to understand and face their fears rather than exhorting them to fight their fears. We envision leaders who never play on people’s fears to enhance their own positions.

We envision leaders who model a positive attitude toward resistance and conflict and who show people how to honor their opponents. We envision leaders who never resort to vilifying the opposition.

We envision leaders who create systems and organizations that run smoothly and evoke a sense of aliveness.

We envision leaders who bring out the best in people.

What the Practice of Art Offers Leadership

The crises we face globally are essentially creative challenges. How can we create a world that allows us to feel at peace with the way things are? How can we create a world that evokes joy rather than anxiety? How can we create a world with a sound organizational structure?

The practice of art offers understanding of our common creative purpose, which can become the basis of shared vision in the global community.

The practice of art offers insight into the nature of the fear that is currently being expressed in forms of terrorism and counter-terrorism, which will give leaders a firmer “handle on the situation.”

The practice of art offers a context for appreciating the creative value of conflict and resistance, which will give leaders the means to foster a positive attitude toward conflict and reduce animosity in their organizations and the global community.

The practice of art offers comprehension of the compositional elements that make artworks “work,” which can be applied in creating systems, organizations, and communities that run smoothly and evoke a sense of aliveness.

Finally, the practice of art offers leaders a way to reach people by tapping into what resonates universally. Art speaks a universal language.  

For information contact: Skye Burn, Project Director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 360-527-3006.