Is There Room for an Artist’s Perspective in the Boardroom?

An Artist's Perspective Can Bring Creativity and Connection to the Boardroom

Having journeyed through both the structured halls of corporate life and the boundless world of artistic expression, I’ve often pondered on this question. Now, three months into my STEM MBA program at Rice University, I see that the answer isn’t just yes — it’s a revelation. Bringing an artistic lens to business doesn’t just enhance individual skills; it creates a vibrant synergy that empowers teams, ignites innovation and redefines what it means to succeed in business.

Performance arts, particularly spoken word poetry and dance, taught me to communicate in ways that resonate and leave a lasting impression. Skills often honed on stage, like gauging an audience’s response, adapting in real-time and connecting authentically, are invaluable in the business world — from coffee chats with recruiters to meeting new people.

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Monica Lee (Full-Time MBA), a fellow MBA student who is also a singer and violinist, echoes this. “I see music as a way to transcend language barriers, and now as I am here, I find myself navigating different cultures with the same mindset — to connect with people, even when our languages or expressions differ,” she explains.

When artistic sensibilities and business acumen come together, we get human-centered designs, compassionate communication and respect for fluid, lateral thinking. Teams with members from varied backgrounds can push each other to think more creatively, communicate more effectively and develop solutions that address emotional and functional needs.

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Husein Lokhandwala (Full-Time MBA), another MBA peer and self-taught photographer, illustrates this well. “As a photographer, I think of an image in terms of breaking down its elements and examining it through the lens of culture and society. Applying this same thinking to strategy — analyzing and deconstructing the big picture — adds a layer of creative problem-solving,” he says.

In an increasingly uncertain world, an artist's perspective provides distinct benefits to teams overwhelmed by data and complex financial models. Models and predictions can help guide decisions, but they rarely take into account the unpredictable nature of human behavior or unforeseen events. Artists, who are taught to adapt, interpret and intuit, provide flexibility and resilience to standard corporate tactics. The human element — the ability to respond to change intelligently and creatively — determines the success of a team or business.