The Art of Leadership: 5 Leadership Lessons from a Clay Workshop
Once a year, my wife Jane and I attend a ceramics workshop. For me, it’s an opportunity for Jane and I to share some creative time together. And, it’s an adventure into a domain I rarely explore, learning to create objects of art out of a clump of clay.
One year, the workshop focused on creating a totem—stacked objects meant to convey a message. Another year, we made story boats, placing symbolic items inside to reflect the story of our lives. This time, we enrolled in a figure sculpting workshop led by a gifted teacher named Kelsey Bowen.
As we drove down the first day, I could feel the anxiety building. I was stepping into something I had absolutely no skill in. The voice of doubt started whispering: “What if I have no talent for this? What if I spend five days fumbling through and end up with nothing?
Mixed in with that doubt was a subtle thrill—the excitement of the unknown. So, with trepidation and anticipation, I stepped into undiscovered territory.
Leadership Lesson 1 – It is only in the unknown that we learn something new.
Don’t be afraid to enter what you don’t know. Acknowledge the fear of uncertainty – and the excitement that comes with new possibilities.
On the first day, we learned to sculpt the body: how to shape the torso, understand proportions, and work with the planes of the body. The rib cage, the hips, the proportions between the thigh and calf, how the ankle bone stays aligned while everything below it twists—each part had its logic.
As I shaped the figure, I was doing okay—but something felt off. I couldn’t tell what. I didn’t want to look stupid, so I kept trying to fix it myself. That inner voice returned: “You’ll never get this. You shouldn’t have come.”
Finally, I called the teacher over. With her practiced eye, she quickly spotted what was off. One thigh was out of proportion. The calf muscle needed more clay. A few small corrections made all the difference. Suddenly, I could see it myself. I kept working and found myself adjusting things more confidently.
Leadership Lesson 2 – Admit you don’t know something to learn something new.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Feedback is the doorway to growth. That’s where progress begins.
On the second day, we tackled hands and arms. The demo seemed straightforward—until I got back to my station. Every time I shaped the fingers, they’d fall off. I tried making the hand bigger, but then it looked cartoonish. Frustration began to build.
I called the teacher again. She showed me a new technique, but I was too agitated to absorb it. I stepped outside and sat in the shade. I breathed. I heart-centered. I let myself soak in the beauty of the surroundings. Slowly, my body relaxed. My mind settled. The excitement returned.
Leadership Lesson 3 – Never give up. Just create space and try again.
When frustration builds, pause, center into the present moment, shift your state of being. Connect to wonder and awe. Let your body and mind relax. Rest, come back with fresh eyes and renewed willingness to learn.
As the week went on, I noticed the work of others. Some were incredible. Jane had already started a second piece. I felt way behind. And yet, others would come by, look at my sculpture, and say, “That’s really good.”
Really? Mine?
That’s when it clicked: Everyone moves at their own pace. Everyone’s expression is their own. That’s what makes it art. That’s what makes it life.
Leadership Lesson 4 – Don’t compare.
The gift of your work—and your team’s—is that it’s uniquely yours. This is true of art, life, and work. Be patient, honor the pace of growth. Celebrate each person’s way of creating value.
At the start of the project, I had only a vague idea of what I wanted to create. The assignment: sculpt a human body with an animal head that expresses emotion and character.
Male or female? Young or old? What kind of animal? I had brought images—a bear, an eagle, a wolf, a snake. Then, I saw it in my mind: a man in a relaxed posture, legs and arms crossed. The animal? A snake.
There was no logic to it. It just felt right. Like so many goals in my life, the ones that really matter aren’t chosen—they’re revealed.
From that vision, it was one small step at a time. First the torso, then the legs. One arm looked too long – cut and reattach. The neck was off – adjust it. The right shoulder too thin – add more clay.
Step back. Observe. Adjust. Improve.
Leadership Lesson 5 – The path to the future is a step-by-step journey of learning.
The future begins as a vision – a possibility without clear rationale. Don’t worry if you don’t have the skills when you begin. If you did, you’d just be repeating the past. Real growth happens when you follow a vision and let the journey shape you.