This week marks a historic moment in the history of arts leadership training: 60 creative sector professionals — fellows of The Global Leaders Institute’s 2023 Cohort from 30 countries — are graduating with the world’s first MBA in Arts Innovation.
At the center of the weeklong celebration, social scientist Arthur Brooks — Professor of Nonprofit & Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, Professor of Management at Harvard Business School, and co-author with Oprah Winfrey of the forthcoming book Build the Life You Want — delivered the 2023 Commencement Address.
Hosted by The Global Leaders Institute’s Advisory Council and Academic Team, Brooks — a New York Times bestselling author — shared insights on sustaining happiness by finding fulfillment throughout one’s life and career. Calling on the research of British-American psychologist Raymond Cattell, Brooks shared data on the rise and decline of happiness throughout the lives of professionals, connecting this to the peaks of two types of intelligence that define different chapters in people’s lives.
The first type of intelligence — “fluid intelligence” — is associated with the high energy of rapid neuro and motor skills. This intelligence peaks in early adulthood (20s and 30s) and manifests in output across disciplines ranging from cutting-edge technological creations to bold artistic vision. The second type of intelligence — “crystallized intelligence” — is associated with judgment ability, pattern recognition, reflection, and communication. This ability peaks later in life (60s and beyond) and supports the peak work of roles rooted in these abilities, including historians, educators, writers, philosophers, scientists, and spiritual leaders.
According to Brooks, sustained fulfillment and happiness require transitioning from fluid intelligence roles early in life to crystallized intelligence roles later in life. This shift ensures continual personal growth throughout life through evolving contributions to society. For creative professionals, this transition may mean shifting from technical and performative roles early in their careers to guidance, judgment, and mentorship-based positions over time. Making this shift can allow creative professionals to increasingly put the perspective gained through their careers into the service of a broader good.
Brooks shared other guidance with graduating Cohort Members from his recent book From Strength to Strength. Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life includes:
- Other guidance shared by Brooks with graduating Cohort Members from his recent book Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life include:
- Question your preparation:
How are you preparing to get on that “crystal intelligence” curve? - Understand your life as a work of art yet to be started. Fulfilled professionals understand their lives as an outstanding performance that lives within.
- Tend to your roots. Manage your wants, not your haves. Streamline your focus on less cluttered pursuits over time rather than viewing life’s journey as an empty slate for constant accumulation.
- Let go of the pressure to stand out. Achievements alone cannot sustain long-term happiness. Getting on the second curve is about knowing our true selves and what nurtures us.
Brook’s reflective message was a poignant send-off for graduating fellows of the 2023 Cohort as they prepare to embark on the next chapter in their careers and lives.
While this week’s graduation marks the last stepping stone in the journey of more than 60 outstanding arts leaders within the Global Leaders Institute, the promise and inspiration of the 2023 Cohort’s collective impact worldwide is just beginning.
Congratulations graduates!
- Question your preparation:
