Arts-based methods can significantly enhance leadership education and better prepare students to address the major societal challenges of our time, a new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. The study examined a course on innovation cultures delivered at the University of Eastern Finland between 2013 and 2023, where students employed visual arts, music, drama and play as part of their learning process.

According to the study, arts-based methods support the development of students’ emotional intelligence, creativity and critical thinking. They encourage students to reflect on their experiences, question their assumptions and explore leadership from new perspectives. Arts-based methods also promote collaborative learning and create learning environments that mirror the complexity and demands of workplaces.

“Students felt that the course helped them gain a deeper understanding of innovation cultures, while encouraging them to apply creative thinking both in their studies and in their future careers. Many reported increased confidence and greater courage to experiment with new things, even in cases where they did not have a strong background in the arts,” says University Lecturer Pasi Hirvonen, one of the course teachers.

The study shows that arts-based methods are not only beneficial in leadership education, but they also offer broader opportunities to develop pedagogical approaches that support students in becoming responsible and empathetic change leaders. Arts-based methods strengthen students’ ability to navigate uncertainty, work in teams and networks, and harness emotions and creativity as drivers of change.

According to the course teachers, successful implementation of the course requires robust pedagogical expertise, the ability to navigate uncertainty and, above all, institutional support.

“Creating a safe and encouraging learning environment is essential for students to feel confident enough to engage with creative learning methods,” Professor Hanna Lehtimäki notes.

The study highlights the need to reform business education to better respond to current and future challenges. Traditional teaching methods should be supplemented by approaches that support students’ holistic growth.

“Arts-based methods offer students a unique opportunity to develop skills that are urgently needed in modern workplaces. Empathy, critical thinking and creative problem-solving are not just academic goals but essential skills that enable future professionals to thrive in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world,” Hirvonen concludes.

Research article:

Lehtimäki, H., Hirvonen, P., Riivari, E., & Piironen, S. (2026). Innovation pedagogy in management education: Student-centered learning with arts-based methods. The International Journal of Management Education, 24(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101306