The arts and creative industries have always thrived in uncertainty. New ideas take shape through a process where the final outcome is unknown. You just have to trust the work – and that the breakthrough will come. That same mindset is now making its way into business leadership, and for good reason.
The old-school leader knew – the new leader asks
Traditional leadership was all about having the answers. But today, a different approach is needed. A great leader isn’t the one who knows everything – it’s the one who can say, “I don’t know, but let’s figure it out together.” It’s about stepping into the unknown, trusting your team, and moving toward a shared goal, even when the path is still taking shape.
This takes courage – and a new kind of expertise. It’s about building trust, shaping a shared vision, and making room for experimentation. It also means letting go of the idea that leadership makes all the decisions while everyone else just executes. The companies that bring their whole team into the strategy process and create a shared direction are often the ones that innovate – and thrive.
Aalto ARTS and Aalto EE redefining leadership
This is exactly what the Leading Radical Creativity in Ecosystems collaboration between Aalto ARTS and Aalto EE is all about. Design thinking is already a familiar concept to many, but we’re taking it a step further, exploring how creativity and leadership are deeply connected in an organization’s culture and structures.
There's a concept we call the "creative sandbox" – leadership sets the direction, but everyone has the freedom to find their own way there within clear boundaries. Structures are streamlined, control is loosened, and decision-making is pushed to the people who are actually doing the work.
The business world is mentally ready for this shift, but in practice, the old ways still hold strong. Hierarchies, control, and the need for certainty are deeply ingrained. But one thing is clear, especially for the younger generation: expectations around leadership are changing. They want trust, transparency, and a real chance to make an impact.
Maybe that’s exactly why it’s time to take a cue from the arts and creative industries. That’s where you’ll find the key to leadership that thrives in uncertainty!
