As a leadership development researcher and consultant, I tend to be intrigued but skeptical when I hear stories about painting as team building or writing poetry to improve leadership performance. Then I found the work of Dr. Michelle Williams, who uses something called “The Expressive Arts” to help leaders and their teams grow emotional intelligence for improved team performance and well-being.

I learned that Expressive Art goes beyond painting and poetry to include a wide range of modalities such as movement, visual arts, writing, sound and music, drama and images. Participation in these activities interact in what the deceased Natalie Rogers called the Creative Connection, which leads to increased awareness, personal growth, emotional intelligence and creativity. Participants have valued these methods for helping them navigate the complex emotions surrounding their work lives, gain clarity about career decisions, and think more creatively.

The expressive arts are a powerful option for leaders to have a safe way to process feelings that might otherwise lead to FIRE and reduced efficiency.

By integrating the Expressive Arts into leadership development, leaders can develop the emotional awareness and intelligence at the heart of empowering leadership styles such as mindful leadership, authentic leadership, and transformational leadership. These styles are known for valued organizational-level results, ranging from increased confidence to improved performance and decision-making.

According to Williams, leader well-being is the foundation of effective team management because it directly affects their ability to maintain emotional balance, make sound decisions, and communicate clearly. When leaders prioritize their own well-being, they create a positive environment that fosters trust, cooperation and productivity within their teams.

Related: The Thriving Leader: Steps to Mental Health and Peak Effectiveness

For this reason, Williams specializes in facilitating Expressive Arts experiences for executives and their teams. She believes that when leaders model vulnerability and creativity, their team members are inspired to do the same.

In turn, each gains greater access to their own and each other's skills, knowledge, and opportunities. Understanding each other's experiences and emotions leads to better team cohesiontrust and a more supportive work environment ultimately drives organizational success.

Williams outlined three practices to help leaders develop their skills and improve the well-being of their team through the Expressive Arts:

1. Identify your creative outlet and schedule a regular time for creative activities

Start by identifying a creative activity that resonates with you. This can be anything from painting, writing or playing a musical instrument. The key is to choose something that allows you to express yourself freely, whether that involves journaling, scrolling, or keeping an art journal.

To incorporate the Expressive Arts into your team, set aside specific time in your team's schedule for these activities. Regardless of specific activities or timing, consistency is critical to reaping the benefits of creative exploration. Williams typically works with teams over a 6-month period, meeting with them for a monthly 3-hour session.

Related: How entrepreneurial creativity leads to innovation

2. Crystallize new knowledge

Engaging in creative processes helps you tap into your subconscious thoughts and emotions. Therefore, after engaging in creative activity, it is essential to reserve time to reflect on what was created and what thoughts, the emotions and turbulent knowledge.

This period of reflection enables participants to turn their access to the subconscious into deeper, actionable insights into their motivations, strengths and areas for growth. This process can be greatly improved if, after the reflection period, a group discussion takes place where team members share their creations and knowledge gained.

This step transforms individual experience into team bonding and collective knowledge, leading to potential achievement. Group dialogue is also built SENSITIVE and understanding, helping team members better appreciate each other's weaknesses and strengths.

Related: How improving team dynamics increases workplace efficiency

3. Create useful measures

The final step is to transform the knowledge gained individually and collectively into actionable goals, tactics and development plans. Each member of the team and the group as a whole should have a set of goals and plans, which ensure that the Expressive Arts session delivers substantial results and progress for the team. This exercise also helps connect personal growth with professional objectives, aligning individual aspirations with team goals and increasing motivation and performance.

Incorporating Expressive Arts practices into your team's routine can create a dynamic and cohesive work environment where creativity and emotional intelligence drive performance and innovation. Additionally, it's important to remember that leadership isn't just about managing others—it's about educating yourself to lead effectively.

Integrating creative practices into your leadership routine increases your self-awareness and emotional intelligence, which are essential for personal and team success. Embrace this holistic approach to leadership, make it part of your team's shared life, and watch your team meet and exceed their potential.