Should business schools teach the arts?

Consider this, from an article in The Economist:

“Studying the arts can help business people communicate more eloquently. Most bosses spend a huge amount of time “messaging” and “reaching out.” yet few are good at it… Many of the world’s most successful businesses are triumphs of storytelling more than anything else. Marlboro and Jack Daniel’s have tapped into the myth of the frontier. Ben & Jerry’s wraps itself in the tie-dyed robes of the counter-culture. But business schools devote far more energy to teaching people how to produce and position their products rather that how to infuse them with meaning.”

The article also talks about managing creative people, art and innovation, and the fact that many artists are terrific entrepreneurs. Good food for thought.

Photo by Stefan Kloo (Flickr).