Facts do not drive change, emotions drive change. As a consultant and coach I help leaders and their teams with the conversations that lead to clear strategies and plans. As a watercolourist I continually come across similarities between the principles governing the creation of successful watercolours and perspectives leading to effective teams.
In this presentation I will paint a watercolour and use this as a metaphor for some of the components of success in business.
Here is a glimpse of some of what we will cover:
The value sketch
The small, quick, value sketch we do to plan the painting works out the vision and the core elements of composition. And the elements of composition can apply to our process of planning in business.
The drawing
Transferring the value sketch to the paper is the commitment to start a painting. There are considerations that take me to the last stroke of the brush that lead to thoughts about executing work in teams.
Making each stroke count
Each brush stroke must count. In watercolour, an alla prima approach, with no rework, creates paintings that sparkle. How do you make each action in your team count?
And there is more. I trust this has caught your eye and I look forward to seeing you there. (My debut is on the 17th of May 2011 at the Lord Charles Hotel – Somerset West).
Hi Stephen,
I am writing this comment while I am sitting in your talk. You took on a brave and daunting challenge.
I was an art teacher and I know that talking and demonstrating at the same time is very hard.
Your topic and approach is interesting but the talks loses engagement. Your energy is focussed onto your painting and not the audience. Conceptually it is a great idea.
This is one of your deep water experiences and you might be sinking more than swimming.
The lady wanted you to focus on your talk – you should have given her a moment.
I’d like to see this talk again when you get it right.
Hi Gerhi
Thanks for your comments. I have addressed your points below.
>> I am writing this comment while I am sitting in your talk. You took on a brave and daunting challenge.
>> I was an art teacher and I know that talking and demonstrating at the same time is very hard.
You are right – I found it tough. But not that tough. Certainly not “I will never do that again” tough. Not even “phew! I am glad that is over” tough. My practice paid dividends. And I love this kind of challenge.
>> Your topic and approach is interesting but the talks loses engagement. Your energy is focussed onto your painting and not the audience.
This is what I intended, to allow people to watch the creative process as a metaphor to the information they were hearing. I would not want to lose engagement and will reflect on this piece of feedback from you, thank you. There were many people who clearly enjoyed the presentation and told me how they would “never forget” the points I spoke about as they remember the painting. So I am considering this as well. This is a new approach to presentation, for me anyway and my reflective observations are well underway.
>> Conceptually it is a great idea.
Yep! it is a **BRILLIANT** idea.
>>This is one of your deep water experiences and you might be sinking more than swimming.
Hey Gehri, obviously you can’t know this. It is an interpretation and as such is not really useful feedback.
>> The lady wanted you to focus on your talk – you should have given her a moment.
I was given 50 minutes to present, with 10 minutes for questions at the end. There were other presenters after me, as well as a networking programme. A debate about my approach could have resulted in chaos which would not have been fair to the other attendees. I am satisfied that my response to her was the right one.
>>I’d like to see this talk again when you get it right.
You would be most welcome.