Caring Leadership in the Cultural and Creative Industries

We hosted our fourth session of the INSPIRE Masterclass series, “Leading with Empathy and Care,” on 26 March 2025 with Birgitta Persson from Future by Lund in Sweden.

This masterclass investigated inner development, focusing on empathy and care and how it is at the heart of leadership in the cultural and creative industries. Emphasizing the sector’s economic and societal importance, it highlighted its significant role in fostering social and emotional sustainability. Birgitta introduced the concept of existential sustainability, arguing its role in strengthening meaning, connection, vulnerability, and hope on both individual and collective levels. Effective leadership, especially during times of change, is seen as supporting learning processes and creating a psychologically safe environment where individuals can express themselves freely and engage in constructive interactions. Emotions are framed not as obstacles but as key information sources guiding decisions, relationships, and personal growth. Developing such inner capacities is the focus of the Inner Development Goals (IDG) framework, which Birgitta presented to the audience, exploring how to apply it purposefully in our daily work and practice.

The session proposed the following structure for practising existential sustainability:

• Creating space for deep reflection,

• Asking meaningful, guiding questions,

• Aligning actions with values, and

• Understanding impact at the systemic level.

With these underlying principles :

• Meaning – Reflecting on why a project matters, who it benefits, and the personal connection to it,

• Clarity of Values – Identifying individual and shared values, recognizing harmony or tension between them,

• Complexity and Perspective – Considering the broader impacts of services or products and acknowledging systemic change,

• Relationships and Interconnectedness – Fostering empathy, care, and appreciation within teams,

• Collaboration and Trust – Encouraging inclusive decision-making, embracing differences, and addressing conflicts constructively,

• Action and Courage – Taking bold steps to inspire, open space for creative processes, and expand the sphere of influence.

The masterclass concluded with the key message that leading with empathy and care goes beyond technical competence. It centers inner development, emotional intelligence, and relational responsibility—essential components for meaningful and sustainable cultural transformation.

The INSPIRE Masterclass series continues to explore the key issues shaping the future of the creative economy. The next session, scheduled for 9 April 2025, will focus on critical thinking with Leonie Bell.

Stay Connected

Follow us on our social media channels to stay updated on the latest developments in the creative economy, project news, and upcoming events:

📸 Instagram: @inspire_turkiye
🐦 X: @inspire.turkiye
📘 Facebook: Inspire Turkiye
💼 LinkedIn: Inspire Türkiye
📺 YouTube: INSPIRE TR