We are inspired by the approach to education of Sir Ken Robinson (1 and 2 below and opposite ). He points out that our whole education system was built for 19th century industrialism. Sciences and Maths are high on the agenda, Arts, Music and Dance low on the agenda. This produced great results, and so we continue to educate and believe in mechanistic, quantitative, and linear ways of working above all others. And we manage our organisations in this way.

The consequence is a management culture can often miss out on ways of thinking that can be greatly imaginative in their approach and problem-solving.

A great metaphor is the visual artist. The true artist starts with a brush stroke, and all the other strokes follow on to create a result – explained very ably by Michael Jones (4). Management can be more like 'painting by numbers', operating within the strict confines we have created in our organisations. Managers and leaders will often say "that's the best way" "Well, that's what we do it ". The truth is, painting by numbers is not always the best way.

Sir Ken Robinson at TED - February 2006