I’m a huge fan of Impressionism. The painting style has always spoken to me on a deeper level. Recently, I was able to take my kids to an interactive Monet exhibit and it was incredible. Standing in front of Woman with a Parasol and sitting with my kids as they laid on the floor taking in The Water Lily Pond, I was completely immersed within the colors and deft brushstrokes of this brilliant artist. I also got to thinking about the importance of perspective in business and on teams.
5 Ways to Find Perspective in Your Business
Here are five ways, inspired by the Impressionist movement, to help you find perspective in your business:
1) Put yourself in the action
Impressionist painters preferred to paint en plein air, which meant going outside to immerse themselves in the environment which they wanted to capture. If you want to get some perspective in your business, make sure that you’re up to speed on everything that’s happening within your company. If you’re in management, step out of the office and hit the floor with your teammates. Talk with employees at all levels, as well as your customers, to get some insights on successes and where there might be room for improvement.
2) Pay attention to the small details
The Impressionist painting style is known for being composed of many small, purposeful dashes of paint which are noticeable, particularly when you’re up close. When you step back, it resolves into the larger picture. In business, those small details are critical. Each employee, department and process make up how your business operates and eventually prospers. Understanding each detail, without micromanaging, can help you get a better grasp of your company and what’s working and what needs to be fine-tuned.
3) Step back and think about the big picture
You’ll still need to keep your eye on the big picture. The role of a business owner or C-suite leader is to be a shepherd for the company as a whole. Come back to your office with the new information you have and think about how you can adjust the picture on the canvas of your business to the company’s benefit.
4) Get input from others
The Impressionist movement didn’t start with just one painter. A group of painters including Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Alfred Sisley, Edgar Degas and more, all worked together and influenced each other to define the style. Many of them traveled together to school, and they would discuss painting and work toward what are now objectively some of the greatest works of art in history. To be great in business, you can’t stand alone. Reach out to others in your industry or other leaders within your company to discuss trajectory and solutions.
5) Find the light
One of the defining characteristics of Impressionism is the accurate depiction of natural light. The artists would go to great lengths to find beautiful settings and then focus on depicting how the sunlight hit the scene. In business, we can get bogged down by looking for solutions to negative data. Make sure to also look for positives, so that you can build upon those and embrace the light spots in your company.
Turn your business into a work of art with some perspective inspired by Impressionism!
