How can poetry help a team better collaborate and connect? You’re about to find out! My guest is Michelle Kaplan, and today we talk about the important role that creativity plays in sparking conversation, breaking down walls, and building trust for better collaboration. We discuss the role poetry, and creativity in general, can play at work – and how it leads to empathy, vulnerability and trust in the workplace. She’ll share how she uses poetry as a catalyst, even with skeptical teams. You will love the poignant original poem she reads to us, and how it helped a now-hybrid team recapture the spark they had when they were all in the office together. Finally, she’ll share some tips on how to do all this in remote or hybrid work environments.
Key Takeaways:
- The doorway to understanding what’s important to other people and enabling them to be themselves is for you to start with yourself.
- Creativity creates empathy. While poetry works for some, creativity is a broad category – art, music, physical activity – any form of mental expansion will help to open and bring empathy to your team.
- As a leader, it is about how you show up, and what you allow and tolerate in your group scenarios. How are you bringing everyone together?
“Incorporating poems creates a safe place where we can talk about some really sensitive, vulnerable issues in a safe way because you’re not talking about me versus you. We’re using the poem as a vehicle for having discussions that can clear the air, and create clarity about thoughts and feelings.” — Michelle Kaplan
About Michelle Kaplan:
Michelle Kaplan, Leadership Coach, People Strategist, and Leadership Development Trainer
Known as the “Corporate Poet” Michelle Kaplan has worked for 30 years in corporate HR and 15 years as a Leadership Development and Organizational Effectiveness Coach and Trainer. Michelle incorporates her original poetry in her work with clients to foster inclusiveness, empathy and psychological safety in the workplace. This vulnerability work helps her clients to maximize their authentic leadership abilities. Michelle is the author of two poetry collections: And: A Love Story and Burst & Fleurish.
Connect With Michelle:
Website: https://www.burstandfleurish.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejkaplan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/398016800948461
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellekaplanpoet
Two poetry collections: And: A Love Story Within and Burst & Fleurish https://www.burstandfleurish.com/author
Don’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy
Connect with Maria:
Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.com
Learn more about Maria’s brand strategy work and books: Red-Slice.com
Hire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross
Take my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy
LinkedIn: Maria Ross
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