Poetry Lessons on Leadership
Bringing the principles of spoken words into corporate innovation centers can provide actionable lessons. In fact, poetry has been used in academic settings for decades as an educational tool to develop leaderships skills. At the FEI: Innovation Summit, the audience will get to experience this firsthand in a session by Andrew Embry, Senior Director- Insights Innovation and Capabilities, Lilly MR HIT Team at Eli Lilly and Company (see the session information below).
In “How to use poetry in the workplace,” an article by the London School of Economics, author Anne Theunissen explores how poetry can help to understand a worker or teams’ personal and emotional workplace experiences, and the managerial and leadership practices that underlie them. This can be seen through the perspective of a researcher, who might use poetry as a form of qualitative data collection and analysis as well as a different way of writing to better understand and express workers’ experiences, according to Theunissen.
She writes that, “Poetry allows researchers to capture what was said in between the lines instead of confining themselves to the use of literal interview quotes. This offers a possibility to express highly sensitive experiences that may be difficult to convey or too painful to talk about in standard, more literal forms of communication.”
In addition to research and feedback, poetry can also be used effectively by management and leadership. The article notes, “One of the areas in which poetry can be of use according to researchers, is in refining critical thinking and stimulating creativity. Managers often deal with dilemmas, uncertainty and complex decision-making processes. As poetry draws on metaphors, ambiguity, imagination and symbolism, it evades simplistic thinking and promotes a mindset in which a multiplicity of interpretations and potential pathways is embraced. Scholars argue that these qualities are particularly useful for agile, long-term strategizing.”
Poetry may also help foster emotional intelligence and empathy in others, and help a leader foster that connection, creativity, and curiosity in a team of innovators, for example. “Being attentive to workers’ emotions is an essential managerial quality, and scholars hold that engaging with poetry, which provides a deep insight into people’s personal experiences and inner lives, invites empathy and a better understanding of the feelings of others,” says Theunissen.
Bringing Empathy as a Practical Tool
The FEI: Innovation Summit will be held October 5-6, 2026, at The Colorado Convention Center, Denver. The summit will be co-located with TMRE.
The session, “Lessons in Change Management from a Spoken Word Poet in Working in Corporate Innovation,” will be presented by Andrew Embry, Senior Director- Insights Innovation and Capabilities, Lilly MR HIT Team at Eli Lilly and Company.
Most change efforts fail not because the idea is wrong, but because no one takes the time to understand the people being asked to change. In this interactive session, spoken word poet and innovation leader Andrew Embry blends poetry and change management to make empathy a practical, actionable tool — not a soft skill. Through creative exercises like perspective-taking and writing from someone else’s point of view, you’ll learn how to intentionally shape what people think, feel, and do. Expect an engaging, slightly uncomfortable experience that challenges corporate norms, invites authenticity, and equips you with a simple practice to apply before your next initiative: understand first, then design.
Click here for more information about the FEI: Innovation Summit
Closer to the Heart: Inspiring Action & Trust
While the London School of Economics article looked at poetry through a somewhat academic perspective, spoken word artist Sekou is just as powerful in his expression of how the spoken word can impact leadership.
In his article, “Spoken Word Poetry: A New Tool for Leadership,” Sekou writes, “Leadership has evolved. It’s no longer about issuing directives or managing tasks—it’s about inspiring action, building trust, and fostering connection. In today’s world, leaders must communicate with authenticity and passion. Spoken word poetry, a powerful and unexpected tool, offers a fresh way to elevate leadership and amplify impact. By combining storytelling, rhythm, and vulnerability, it transforms leaders into catalysts for change.”
This view speaks to the heart of developing innovation in the face of uncertainty, whether through a leader or team perspective. It also creates accessibility for the leader, notes Sekou, who is creating an experience with spoken words, fostering trust, collaboration, and the humanization of leadership.
“Spoken word poetry thrives on its ability to make complex ideas relatable and emotional,” writes Sekou. “This art form can revolutionize leadership communication. Imagine speaking to your team not just with facts, but with a rhythm that reflects their struggles, triumphs, and aspirations. Spoken word allows leaders to frame challenges as opportunities and visions as shared missions. It’s a way to lead not just with your mind, but with your heart.”
Video: “Facing Disruption by Sekou Andrews,” courtesy of Sekou World.
