Is it time to change the way you view your work?

Written by Alex Poeter

When it comes to achieving professional success and creating a positive impact on the world through our work, one of the most helpful concepts I’ve come across is the idea of seeing our work as an art form – as something more than just transactional and routine.

Approaching our work from this perspective invites us to consider how we can continuously grow and learn -- to constantly look for opportunities to keep improving our skills and to learn new skills.  In today’s world, this ongoing self development is more important than ever.  With growing destabilization due to climate change, political instability, and economic volatility, this approach allows us to be more adaptable to the rapid changes and challenges that are constantly coming our way.

The idea of seeing our work as an art form also encourages us to use our skills and unique gifts to create value for others, which helps us to keep growing as trustworthy and credible experts and leaders.  Approaching our work from this perspective doesn’t mean we become more competitive or self-serving -- far from it.  We all need each other; and more than ever considering the growing challenges our global community keeps facing.  In this way, “increasing our professional success by working towards mastery” and “being generous, supportive and collaborative” are two sides of the same coin.

Here are some questions that can help you to get a sense of what approaching your work as an art form could look like:

What impact do you believe you were meant to create in this world by the abilities and talents you’ve been given?

What would you do differently if you approached the work that’s yours to do as an art form?

What would you do this year to achieve a higher level of mastery in your work?

I know these are big questions, but I truly believe that having more clarity about how you can take your abilities and talents to the next level will allow you to increase your impact.  What’s more is that you’ll less likely run on autopilot, but bring more intentionality into your work instead.  This in turn will make you a more effective and impactful leader.  And what our world needs right now is leaders who are able to lead not only from their mind, but equally from their heart.