The fact that there are two halves of the human brain is widely accepted. The left side of the brain accounts for logic, critical thinking, and objectivity. On the other hand, the right side of the brain is responsible for more creative activity. Behavior related to the brain’s right side includes emotional intelligence, visual processing, intuition, and imagination. In other words, the brain’s left side is very calculated, and the right side of the brain is artistic. In the business world, there are many instances in which both logic and creativity are necessary, making it vital to have a leader who can manage high emotions.
Including creative personalities on business, projects are a bit of a double-edged sword. The creativity, imagination, and unconventional problem solving that creatives bring to the table offer undeniable value to corporate organizations.
However, like with all art, the quality of creativity is often subjective. What one designer or artist might find compelling, beautiful, and well worthwhile, another artist might find completely distasteful and uninspired. Herein lies the management challenge when it comes to creative environments and creative personalities.
Managing High Emotions
As outlined above, art and creativity are prone to subjective interpretation. Using the same line of thinking, it then goes to reason that the designers and artists behind any specific choice or piece of work will have an inflated attachment and sentiment toward that piece.
In other words, creative personalities are prone to an emotional attachment to the work that they produce. Understanding that attachment empowers creative managers and organizational leaders to form better critique-etiquette within their organizations and management teams.
Effective management of creative environments requires more than a leader with a side of finesse. Since creative personalities tend to invest emotionally in their work, artists, designers, and other creative professionals sometimes bring an additional layer of emotion into the office.
As such, it’s integral that managers and leaders find avenues through which they can deliver direct and honest feedback without inciting an overreaction or creating a volatile emotional reaction. Additionally, companies looking to build long-standing relationships with creative professionals or hire a team of creatives full-time need to make those professionals feel valued as people and as creators.
Having a management team that’s capable of handling moments of explosive emotions and volatile situations is valuable. And for more than one reason. Creative professionals aren’t the only employees that are prone to having loud personalities.
In fact, every human being is prone to being emotional and acting on those emotions. Therefore, whether managing a creative professional, a finance professional, or a marketing professional, every single one of your employees deserves to be treated like a valued member of the staff.
The Right Management Makes a Difference
Ultimately, we’re all human beings. And people are at the core of every company and organization. No matter how big or small – the employees and customers are the most crucial to every organization.
Whether or not you’re managing a team of creatives, or a group of financiers, utilizing tact in conversation, being direct but kind, and finding helpful ways to deliver criticism will build a healthy and productive culture in your business.
Being sensitive and tactful is different than being compliant or accepting subpar work. One can still maintain high standards of integrity and quality without acting unnecessarily cruel. Bring and keep the best and most efficient talent into your organization with a culture of respect and constructive criticism.