This article has been originally published at Elise Stevens’ Website.
Art is defined as the expression or application of human creativity or imagination. It’s a much broader definition than simply painting or sculpture, but many project managers will still wonder why a conversation about art belongs in the project management world.
According to project management consultant Echo Woolf, thinking about project management as an art form simply means thinking about what moves and motivates people. As she explains to Elise Stevens in this podcast, the art of project management lies in personal development; seeking intentional experiences and constantly refining soft skills in an attempt to perfect the craft.
If you’ve only ever considered project management as a science, now’s the time to open your mind to a more creative approach.
Points raised in this podcast:
- Project management is both an art and a science.
All great art involves not just imagination but technical skill. - Even the most abstract art requires the artist to maintain a level of control.
- Project management often requires creative solutions to manage the project team and stakeholders.
- Embracing creativity can help project managers improve their decision-making and problem solving.
- Projects are more abstract than linear and require constant assessment and adjustment.
- Seeking mentorship, particularly in leadership and communication skills, can help project managers refine their soft skills.
- Taking on work that no one else wants to do often means finding unique and challenging opportunities for learning.