The Impact of Arts-Based Leadership Development on Leader Mind-Set: A Field Experiment. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garavan, Thomas N.; McGarry, Ann; Watson, Sandra; D'Annunzio-Green, Norma; O' Brien, Fergal
• Editors: Edwards, Gareth; Elliott, Carole; Iszatt-White, Marian; Schedlitzki, Doris
• Is Part Of: Advances in developing human resources. Volume 17:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 391
• Page End: 407
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: arts-based leadership interventions -- emotional intelligence -- leader identity -- openness to experience and feedback orientation; Personnel management -- Periodicals; Organizational effectiveness -- Periodicals; Human capital -- Periodicals; 658.30105
• DOI: 10.1177/1523422315588358
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1523-4223

Abstract

The Problem: Arts-based leadership interventions have gained a foothold in the leadership development literature; however, few studies have investigated their effectiveness. These interventions include music, drama, art, and performance and are utilized to develop dimensions of leader mind-set. The Solution: In this study, an arts-based intervention (leadership drawing exercise) is evaluated. Utilizing a quasi-experimental, pre-test, post-test design, we evaluate the impact of an arts-based intervention on four dimensions of leader mind-set: emotional intelligence, leader identity, openness to experience, and feedback orientation. Leaders in the arts-based intervention showed significantly greater improvement in emotional intelligence, leader identity, and feedback orientation. The Stakeholders: This article informs leadership development researchers, those making decisions about investment in leadership development and those who deliver leadership development. The article will be of interest to organizations that have to justify investment in leadership development.