How to create a work of art from your life and leadership
Imagine your life as a canvas, where everything you say and do contributes to a masterpiece that reflects your deepest values. By aligning with higher-order principles like truth, wisdom, and beauty, you can elevate your impact from mere success to lasting significance. Discover how to transform your leadership into a work of art that leaves a profound legacy.
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A journey or a canvas?
People often talk about life as a journey, a series of steps from one place to another. I do it myself, helping others understand where they are, and where they are going, in this great journey of life.
But what if, instead of seeing life as a destination, and waiting until you arrive, you saw your life as a canvas, and yourself as the artist? Imagine for a moment that every action, every decision, every relationship, is a brushstroke on this canvas.
Isn’t that a fascinating idea? Rather than life being a series of steps, it’s an ever-radiating creation of beauty?
There are times when life might feel like you’re just moving from one task to the next. But have you ever stopped to think about the bigger picture you’re creating?
Let’s explore that together.
“The teleology of the universe is the production of Beauty,” wrote the philosopher A.N. Whitehead. He is suggesting that the reason the universe exists is to manifest beauty: to bring beauty into existence.
This idea has lingered with me, stirring something deep within. It suggests that all the movements, changes, and rhythms of the universe are ultimately directed towards bringing forth beauty in its purest form. We see that in the beautiful images being broadcast back to earth from the James Webb Telescope—each one a glimpse of the vast, intricate beauty that exists beyond our everyday experience.
Might Beauty call us?
Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what truly drives me—those deeper motivations that influence my actions and decisions. For example, my deep curiosity and love of learning naturally align with the value of wisdom, while my drive to explore and meet challenges connects with courage and wonder. I have come to understand that particular values consistently guide my life: truth, wisdom, excellence, wonder, and courage. These are not mere abstract ideals, but rather like the glow of a compass bearing.
As I reflected on these in the dark stillness of the early morning, I wondered if there might be an overarching value that ties these five values together.
“Could it be Beauty?” I wondered
Recalling Whitehead’s phrase about the purpose of the universe, might the purpose of a person be to ‘produce’ Beauty? It feels too utilitarian, and you know how much I despise utilitarianism. Could it be to ‘discover’ Beauty? Perhaps. But still, that feels limiting, as if one can rest following the discovery.
The night sky fades, and a gentle redness washed across the tree-line, as I sat in contemplation. Beauty was revealing itself yet again to me.
A new thought began to take shape, picking up on Whitehead’s formulation:
“The teleology of the person
is the unfolding of Beauty.”
What if, just as the universe moves towards the creation of beauty, our lives are meant to do the same? What if the purpose of our existence isn’t just about achieving goals or overcoming obstacles, but about allowing beauty to unfold through the way we live each day?
Beauty isn’t just about aesthetics—and it is certainly more than good looks or luxury. It radiates from the harmony within someone or something. When you hear beautiful music, or see a beautiful sunrise, or meet a beautiful person, you are encountering the harmony of their being: i.e. in that moment everything ‘hangs together’. Beauty shines through when we live in alignment with our highest values—such as truth, wisdom, excellence, wonder, and courage. These then are not simply ideals, but rather brushes I can apply to the canvas of my life, to create a work of art.
Build your life as if it were a work of art
The philosopher Bernard Lonergan once wrote, “Man’s first work of art is his own living.” It’s a sentiment that carries so much truth. I was reminded of this over the weekend in a quote from Rabbi Heschel, where he said, “Build your life as if it were a work of art.”
Each of us has the potential to shape our lives as works of art, a gift that’s freely available if you choose to accept it. All those little things you do every day—your choices, your small acts of kindness, your quiet care for another person—all contribute to the grand masterpiece you are creating.
Building your life as a work of art
When we embrace these values, we become artisans of our own lives, shaping each moment with care and thoughtfulness. The choices we make, the way we interact with others, the way we face challenges—these are all brushstrokes on the canvas of our lives. And when we live in alignment with these higher values, our lives begin to radiate a beauty that is both profound and transcendent.
Beauty isn’t just for us. It’s a reflection of something greater, a testament to the divine harmony that underlies all of existence. Beauty, in its truest sense, is a manifestation of truth and goodness—it’s a glimpse of the divine. So, when we talk about the unfolding of beauty in our lives, we’re not just talking about personal fulfillment, but about participation in something—or someone—eternal.
So, as you continue your journey, I encourage you to think of yourself as an artist, with each day as a new opportunity to add to the canvas. Let your life be a beautiful work of art, not just for your sake, but for the sake of those around you, and for the greater story we are all a part of. And in those moments when you feel uncertain or lost, remember that you are part of this grand unfolding—a process that is not just about you, but about the entire universe moving towards beauty.
From abstraction to action
I know you know leadership is about purpose before profits, morals before money, and so Beauty before BAU. And so, why does this talk of art and beauty matter to a successful leader?
It’s because I think it might give you an edge, a unique edge that is distinctly yours.
Many leaders bring a wealth of skills and experience into their roles. But, succeeding as a leader requires something different, and not just sharper skills. You need to transform your leadership capacity for the masterpiece you are creating. And the way to do that is through a focus on higher order values. You already have the skills. Now you need to shift your framework to understand you are playing a whole new game.
But here’s the thing about being a leader: you are painting a picture with other people’s lives. Their brush strokes contribute to your canvas. Your influence and responsibilities extend beyond your office, beyond your colleagues and customers, and into the community. Imagine this: the picture you draw becomes your legacy. This is what people see after you have left the building.
the picture you draw becomes your legacy
What is the work of art you are crafting in your thinking, in your decisions and in your actions? Could I suggest you take a moment today to think about one small change you could make: whether it’s the way you approach a conversation, a decision, or even how you start your day. What’s one brushstroke you can add to make your life’s canvas a bit more beautiful?”
In what you say and do you shape the future, not just for your company but for your community. To be the leader the world needs you to be, it’s crucial to engage with higher order values such as these, allowing them to guide your leadership and decision-making.
If our purpose is to ‘unfold Beauty’ our leadership must also do so. How might you create harmony in all you do? How might you create a legacy that reflects not just success but significance, and leaves a lasting, positive impact on the world?
To create your life as a work of art:
Be attentive:
begin by seeing every action, decision, and relationship as a brushstroke on your life's canvas
Seek alignment with your principles:
focus on aligning your daily choices with higher values such as truth, wisdom, excellence, wonder, and courage, allowing these principles to guide your interactions and decisions.
Make small changes:
take a moment each day to reflect on one small change you can make—a new approach to a conversation, a thoughtful decision, or a mindful start to your day—that will add to the beauty of your life's unfolding masterpiece.
Review
Stand back on a regular basis—daily, weekly, yearly—and look at the artwork that is emerging. Modify your behaviour as necessary to modify the legacy you are leaving
This is where true transformation or your leadership capacity happens: not in the development of new skills, but in the elevation of your thinking and the alignment of your leadership with these enduring values. So, as you continue to navigate what feels like a winding path, remember that it’s not a journey but a masterpiece, and that you are the artist of your own canvas. Every choice, every action, every relationship adds a new dimension to the artwork of your life. And in leadership, your canvas contributes to some of the greatest masterpieces in the world. Your legacy can be profound.
Ask yourself: What kind of picture are you painting with your life? Are you crafting a work of art that reflects not just your goals, but your deepest values and the beauty you wish to bring into the world?
I love this characterization of a person’s life. It removes the sense that life is merely lived. Instead, it is created. Thank you.