Art Illustrates Life

As a marketer, my passion goes beyond words. 

I am also a very “visually-oriented” person. Those who have worked with me know that I have an unusual attachment to my white board. That’s because I must be able to whip out my dry erase markers (many colours, naturally) to brainstorm, mock-up a concept, sketch an image, plot out a strategy or visualize a process flow.

Those may sound like boring visuals to the non-business type.

But in fact, they all require forms of creativity and “stretch thinking.”

And sometimes, the best way to think outside the usual box (aka your head) is to map it out visually, in whatever form works for you. Personally, I like my whiteboard. And, occasionally, other hand-held media.

I am influenced both in my visual design and writing by other artists, of all genres. This includes painters, poets, musicians, dancers, actors, fashion designers, architects, graphic artists and other craftspeople.

Being tactile is an important element of creativity.

It helps to get out of the brain and to explore new concepts with your hands. That’s why many great artists work in several media, including Pop Art master, Tom Wesselmann.

 See more Tom Wesselmann art here.

Wesselmann's first ever gallery exhibition in Canada was held at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts a few years ago. I loved his use of vibrant, unapologetic colour, seductive figures, and larger-than life installations. Through his art, he depicted many elements of American culture, most notably during the 1960’s and 170’s. Touring that exhibit was a feast for my eyes and I was unquestionably impressed.

I wonder how this artist will influence my work as a marketer and communications professional. Perhaps he already has.

Feed your mind (and free your mind) with art.

I try to make it a habit to seek opportunities for exposure to different art forms. It’s so enriching to allow yourself to consider other forms of expression and communication. This is how we learn to understand the human psyche and how to connect with each other in a meaningful and memorable way.

Essentially, the more you experience life from different perspectives, the more rich your contribution will be to anything you undertake.

What art will you discover today?

Here are a few suggestions:

10 Bizarre forms of modern art

10 Fascinating art forms you’ve never heard of

20 Unusually awesome art mediums (media)

[Author's note: I couldn't help but notice this gross mistype on the MMFA's Beyond Pop Art website when they hosted Tom Wesselmann’s exhibit:]

Fortunately, the MMFA has better proof-readers setting up the exhibits. I scanned each paragraph that described the artist's life and career, each carefully transposed onto the gallery walls, French on top, English on the bottom. I can vouch only for the English. 

Emotion...or Passion?

So often has the word “emotional” been used in a negative context that it now almost always indicates a weakness or otherwise undesirable trait.

More often, it is women who are criticized – by both men and by other women – for being “too emotional.”

On the contrary, I feel we are lacking emotion, in business and in life. It’s as though we’ve become afraid of expressing ourselves for not wanting to be judged as a blubbering fool or a big old softie.

Arlene Dickinson, CEO of Venture Communications and former star of CBC’s show Dragon’s Den, was interviewed by George Stroumboulopoulous. Her thoughts on emotions?

“I make no excuse for being emotional in business. Business is emotional. If you’re not emotionally engaged with the business you work for or that you’re building, then what the heck are you doing every day? Why are you doing it?”

I argue that I’m not emotional, but rather passionate. There is a fundamental difference. Being emotional is when no matter how you try, you are unable to conceal your feelings, which are usually viewed as negative. Being “emotional” always seems to indicate a socially undesirable behaviour such as crying or shouting. Crying indicates weakness. Shouting indicates a lack of control. It’s sad that we have these ideas as they serve only to deaden our motivation and self-expression.

Passion, on the other hand, means being outrageously committed, believing wholeheartedly, and being prepared to fight for something you believe in. There’s an intensity that comes along with passion. Not everyone demonstrates it in the same way, but many who are fiercely passionate are also very expressive. Why? Probably because their passion spills out of them. I know it does with me.

I was once reprimanded after a heated argument over something I felt was a gross injustice, with a smug reminder, “This is a civilized company.”  I remember the gag in the back of my throat at that ridiculous and demeaning statement .These statements are often made by people who never get excited about anything. To them, passion is scary because they don’t know what to do with all the energy.

Why are we so afraid to emote? 

Have we become so catatonic that we can’t even handle the raised voice of someone who is driven to argue a point with vigor?

I see so many articles that caution women in business against getting too emotional (ex: crying) in the workplace, and advise how to diffuse emotions before continuing a discussion. What’s with all this suppression?

I’m not advocating for everyone to go around the office like raving lunatics or blubbering fools, but surely there is some happy medium. As a passion pundit, I’ve learned you need to be selective with your causes, and direct your passion where it will have the most positive impact.

One day at the office, I was tipped off that one of my project coordinators was crying in the bathroom and probably needed someone to go talk to her. Apparently, she had made a mistake on one of her projects and caused a delay in the production, which would surely upset the client. She was devastated that she had messed up and didn’t know how to fix it. She was further mortified that I, her boss, had just discovered her in her saddest state. “I’m so embarrassed!”

Don’t be, I told her. If you didn’t care about your job and about doing well, you wouldn’t be upset. In fact, if you brushed it off like it was nothing, I would be much more concerned. Don’t worry another minute, we’ll fix this.

Personally, I could go for some spirited discussions and some jumping up and down. I’m not talking about vicious, unprofessional attacking of others. No, I mean sincere passion. 

Paul Alofs does a tremendous job of outlining just how important passion is to the success of a cause, career or company in his book “Passion Capital – The World’s Most Valuable Resource.”  

He articulates exactly the philosophy I have felt intrinsically for years: passion is the catalyst for success. Passion alone won’t drive profits, but it is the foundation for longevity and prosperity.

One thing I’ve learned, however, is that not all organizations believe they need passion in their culture. It seems logical that it would be a valued asset, but it’s not the case for everyone.

I bring passion with me wherever I go, so I need to be sure that I always find a work scenario that appreciates and encourages it.

My tip: If you encounter a colleague who appears to be displaying some heated passion, give them a moment to really express themselves. Remember that this outburst is probably not about you, and is more likely a display of frustration or extreme enthusiasm. 

Find ways to harness that energy in positive, constructive ways. 

Ring, ring…..hello? Is anybody there?

Photo courtesy of Etsy.com

How has the telephone suffered such a brutal and untimely death? 

When did we suddenly abandon the phone call?

I’ll tell you when.

It was right around the time that texting became free - locally, nationally and internationally.

Don’t get me wrong: I can text with the best of them. I have 3 different language keyboards installed on my cell phone, plus an extensive emoticon library. Because you gotta have a LOT of cartoonish icons to express your true feelings and moods since straight LOLs may not do the trick. Ha!

I feel, however, that we have adopted texting (and before it, emailing) with such a fervor that we have forgotten the importance of live voice-to-voice communication as part of the effective communication mix.  We all have cell phones now but rarely use the actual PHONE part of it.

I have often observed a glazed, deer-in-headlights stare from colleagues of a younger generation when I ask them to make a call to a client or supplier. “Can’t I just email them?” is usually the plea.

(Note: I’m also struggling to get some of my suppliers to pick up the phone. Really, people? Do you want the business or not?)

This is a crisis of communication.

Recently, a female acquaintance sought input on a new dating relationship. She described the problem to me like this:

I Facebook messaged him, and then he messaged back. And then I asked him this question and sent a winky smiley. He hasn’t replied. What do you think that means?! Should I text him again?

Why don’t you just pick up the phone and call the dude? was my stupid question.

Yeah right! Call. How desperate do you think I am?

Were we always this shy and self-effacing, simply waiting for the appropriate tool to come along and absolve us of the misery that verbal communication had forced upon us?

Watch the harsh truth of dating. A.K.A. “He’s never going to call you”, the infamous speech from He’s just not that into you:

Business etiquette

In business, effective communication cannot be underestimated. The particular vehicle of communication we choose to deliver a message is critical to it being received effectively.

Because I began my professional career just as the internet was emerging, telephone and fax communication were still common. My first sales job involved making cold calls to owners and buyers of retail stores. I can say from experience that picking up the phone can be nerve-wracking. But, quite often it yields the best outcome. When successful, orders arrived at the office by fax or courier. 

I still believe phone calls are an importantpart of business for relationship building and management. There are times when it is better to callthan send an email. 

Here are situations in which I still reach for the receiver:

-        When I need to “meet” someone new and a face-to-face is not possible

-        When there is a “problem” or misunderstanding to resolve (and face-to-face is not possible)

-        When I need to ask for a favour (and a face-to-face is really not possible)

-        When the person I’m contacting prefers not to use email or digital technologies

-        When I communicate with my doctor or pharmacy (because they still use phone and fax exclusively!)

Of course, important decisions and details agreed to verbally can always be followed by a confirmation email message.

Don’t forget, though, that your voice can be your most valuable asset, negotiation tool, bridge-builder, and relationship-nurturer. When you speak, speak clearly and with authenticity, and don’t forget to smile when appropriate. Insincerity can be easily detected through the phone.

And most importantly, when someone else calls you, ANSWER your phone!

The bottom line: When it comes to important announcements, big decisions, or difficult topics, it’s best to communicate in person or at the very least, with live voice. If you want to build a positive, meaningful relationship or resolve a problem, put the emoticons aside and express yourself authentically.

Note: Video calls are naturally encouraged as well, when and where technology permits them.