Short answer

Incorporate creative, arts-based activities into leadership and professional development to build trust and encourage innovative thinking among participants.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership (2010)
Method: Qualitative study employing an arts-based leadership practice.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Integrating arts-based methodologies into professional development can cultivate a more trusting and innovative environment for educators. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership. Using Qualitative study employing an arts-based leadership practice., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate creative, arts-based activities into leadership and professional development to build trust and encourage innovative thinking among participants.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Arts-Based Leadership Fosters Teacher Innovation and Trust

Integrating arts-based methodologies into professional development can cultivate a more trusting and innovative environment for educators.

International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership · 2010

Key Findings

01Collaboration between the principal and art teacher yielded significant value in arts-based leadership.
02Teachers felt valued and supported when the principal participated alongside them in art-making activities.
03The principal was perceived as authentic and trustworthy, leading to increased teacher confidence.
04Teachers were more inclined to consider innovative, arts-based approaches to their teaching due to engendered trust.
05The art teacher effectively introduced innovative leadership practices to teachers.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate creative, arts-based activities into leadership and professional development to build trust and encourage innovative thinking among participants.

How to apply

When designing team-building exercises or professional development workshops, consider using art-making or other creative activities to encourage personal reflection and foster a sense of psychological safety.

Project actions

01Consider how creative processes can be used to explore user needs or generate design concepts.
02Document the emotional and psychological impact of design interventions on users.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the impact of an arts-based leadership initiative on teacher reflection, trust, and willingness to adopt innovative teaching practices.

MethodQualitative study employing an arts-based leadership practice.

ProcedureA rural middle school principal and art teacher collaborated to lead a day-long staff development session. Teachers were guided to create art as a metaphor for personal and school improvement plans, followed by individual support. The initiative focused on personal reflections, multiple perspectives, and art making.

ContextEducational leadership and professional development in a rural middle school setting.

Variables

IVArts-based leadership initiative (presence/absence, nature of activities).

DVTeacher reflections, perceived trust in leadership, willingness to adopt innovative teaching practices.

CVSchool context (rural middle school), specific art activities used, collaboration between principal and art teacher.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Focuses on a novel application of arts-based methods in leadership.
+Provides qualitative insights into teacher perceptions and experiences.

Limitations

The specific art activities and the rural context might influence the outcomes.

Reliability & validity

Reliability might be a concern due to the qualitative nature and small sample size. Validity is supported by the direct reporting of teacher experiences and perceptions.

Think critically

To what extent can the principles of arts-based leadership be applied to non-educational professional environments, and what adaptations would be necessary?

Design Principles

"Creative expression as a catalyst for trust and innovation in professional settings."

This approach moves beyond traditional training by leveraging creative expression as a tool for reflection and growth. By fostering a sense of value and authenticity, leaders can unlock new perspectives and encourage the adoption of novel teaching strategies.

What This Means for Your Design

Using art in staff training can make teachers feel more trusted and willing to try new teaching ideas.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when exploring how creative methods can influence user behavior or team dynamics in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The research by Kelehear (2010) demonstrates that arts-based leadership practices can significantly enhance trust and encourage innovation within professional groups. By integrating creative activities into staff development, educators felt more valued and supported, leading to a greater willingness to explore novel pedagogical approaches. This highlights the potential for design interventions that leverage creative expression to foster positive organizational change and drive innovation.

Source

International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership

Pass the Crayons: Leadership, Art Production, and Communities of Practice

journal · 2010

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about arts-based leadership fosters teacher innovation and trust?: Incorporate creative, arts-based activities into leadership and professional development to build trust and encourage innovative thinking among participants. Evidence: International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership (2010).
Why does "Arts-Based Leadership Fosters Teacher Innovation and Trust" matter for design?: This approach moves beyond traditional training by leveraging creative expression as a tool for reflection and growth. By fostering a sense of value and authenticity, leaders can unlock new perspectives and encourage the adoption of novel teaching strategies.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate creative, arts-based activities into leadership and professional development to build trust and encourage innovative thinking among participants.
What were the main findings?: Collaboration between the principal and art teacher yielded significant value in arts-based leadership.. Teachers felt valued and supported when the principal participated alongside them in art-making activities.. The principal was perceived as authentic and trustworthy, leading to increased teacher confidence.. Teachers were more inclined to consider innovative, arts-based approaches to their teaching due to engendered trust.
What research method was used?: Qualitative study employing an arts-based leadership practice..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2010 journal from International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing team-building exercises or professional development workshops, consider using art-making or other creative activities to encourage personal reflection and foster a sense of psychological safety.
What are the limitations?: Findings are specific to a rural middle school context and may not be directly generalizable to all educational settings or industries.