Be Curious. Be Creative: Why Art Matters in the Corporate World
An artistic, creative vibe is one of those gifts that always seems to be downplayed in the corporate world.
Sure, some organizations fully embrace it—but many treat it like a contagious plague. I’ve seen it firsthand. As someone who considers herself mildly creative, I’ve spent years walking the fine line between corporate strategy and creative spark. And every time I dared to stray too far into the creative realm—suggesting heartfelt photography, emotional storytelling, conceptual sketches, or bold visual storytelling—I was often met with fear and hesitation from leadership.
Instead of innovation, I was told to use standard stock images: smiling models, generic handshakes, and the same old content. It was as if creativity had to be sanitized, repackaged, and stripped of its soul.
And it makes me stop and wonder—why?
Why do we celebrate creative entrepreneurs when their ideas make millions, but restrict our internal artists to brand guideline cages? Why do we assume creativity is “fluffy” when in fact, it’s a powerful catalyst for innovation, emotion, and human connection?
I love this quote by Hugh MacLeod:
“Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with dry, uninspiring books… Being suddenly hit years later with the ‘creative bug’ is just a wee voice telling you, ‘I’d like my crayons back, please.’”
It resonates so deeply. Because for many, creativity only gets permission to return once we’ve achieved a certain level of safety—financial stability, job security, or retirement. But by then, how much of that spark have we lost?
It’s time for business leaders to realize that the value of creativity in the workplace isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about:
- Disrupting consumer thinking
A striking piece of design or art can break through noise and spark reflection—making customers stop, feel, and think differently. - Increasing sales and engagement
Capturing attention in today’s oversaturated market is gold. Creative design can drive emotional connections and buying decisions. - Motivating your marketing team
A creative team that feels seen, trusted, and free to experiment becomes more innovative, more engaged, and more resilient in the face of change.
Creativity nurtures resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. And these are not “soft” skills—they are essential business strengths.
To the executive leaders out there: Don’t worry—you don’t have to go all-in overnight. Start small. Give your marketing or design team a little breathing room to try something new. Let them run a pilot, test a bold concept with a focus group, or break the mold on a single campaign. See what happens. You might be surprised by the fresh insights, the energy it sparks, or even the results it delivers. Sometimes, the smallest creative risks lead to the biggest breakthroughs.
And to the artists and creatives out there: don’t give up. Your art is doing more than you think. It improves cognitive function, reduces stress, and sparks curiosity and joy. In today’s fast-paced world, that joy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re creative—please know, you are. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). That longing you feel for beauty, meaning, or expression? It’s not random—it’s divine. I personally believe that we were made by God in His image, and because He is the ultimate Creator, the original Artist, He gave each of us a spark of that same creative spirit. So embrace that little voice in your soul that craves beauty and wonder. It’s not just a fleeting feeling—it’s part of who you were created to be.
Your creativity is not a distraction from the work. It is the work.
