As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), with focus on wellbeing at work, I am passionate about fostering creativity, as well as positive team dynamics. Recently, I had the privilege to participate in a workshop on ‘Systemic Design Thinking for Creativity‘ of the 11th EUS International Congress & 17th HSSS National & International Conference, which sparked the development of a method that leverages aesthetics, neuroscience, and positive psychology to enhance brainstorming and problem-solving in project management.
Project Management and Well Being
One of the reasons I love project management is the opportunity it provides to observe the behaviors of people while they engage in their tasks and collaborate with each other. However, being a project manager is not merely about managing constraints and delivering results; it’s also about respecting and understanding the limits of the team members and creating an environment that promotes their wellbeing. At Project Management Institute (PMI), the new framework focusing on people, with 42% of questions relating to People, underscores the importance of nurturing positive team dynamics and fostering creativity in the workplace!
Connecting Aesthetics with Project Management
You might wonder how aesthetics relates to project management. In his book ‘The Aesthetic Expression of Moral Character,’ Levno Plato explores whether certain character traits, such as honesty, can be beautiful. Additionally, Aristotle presents an ethics of aesthetics where virtuous actions are identified by their aesthetic qualities. In the business context, The Via institute on Character presents a list of character strengths that contribute to creating a better workplace. The convergence of these concepts suggests that aesthetics and positive traits are vital components for effective project management.
A Method for Creativity in Project Management
Combining insights from project management, aesthetics, neuroscience, and positive psychology, I have developed a method that empowers individuals and teams in brainstorming and problem-solving. The method capitalizes on how the left and right human hemispheres perceive pictures and words and collaborate to yield creative outcomes! It involves using a set of cards with images and words, each carefully designed based on project management studies and neuroscience.
Example of the Method: Think Creatively Using Pictures
To give you a glimpse of this approach, let’s walk through an example:
Your issue: [Write down the issue or challenge you’re facing in your project.]
Pick a card for each of the following questions:
- What do I try to achieve?
- What do I have right now?
- How can I bridge the gap between my goal and the present situation?
You can find those cards in my LinkedIn posts https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilenakoliavasili/ or ask me about them. You can also see a sample of them in my video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCj1N7bUbfo or at the end of this article.
Now, creatively answer each question using the picture on the card. Reflect on its meaning, how it relates to your issue, and the emotions it evokes. Consider the word at the bottom of the card for additional insights.
Benefits for Project Managers and other professionals
Based on my experience, it seems that this method has proven invaluable in enhancing team communication, problem-solving, and collaboration in various project scenarios! By incorporating aesthetics and creativity into project management, teams can achieve better outcomes while nurturing the wellbeing of their members.
Get in Touch
If you find this method intriguing and believe it can benefit project managers and teams within the PMI community, I would be delighted to share more details or explore potential collaborations.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via LinkedIn or at info@eversthetics.com if you have any questions or would like further information.
Looking forward to contributing to the wellbeing and creativity in project management!
