Biography

Amy Herman is a lawyer and art historian who uses works of art to sharpen observation, analysis, and communication skills. By showing people how to look closely at painting, sculpture, and photography, she helps them hone their visual intelligence to recognize the most pertinent and useful information and biases that impede decision-making. She developed her Art of Perception seminar in 2000 to improve medical students’ observation and communication skills with their patients when she was the Head of Education at The Frick Collection in New York City. She subsequently adapted the program for a wide range of professionals and leads sessions internationally for the New York City Police Department, the FBI, the French National Police, the Department of Defense, Interpol, the State Department, Fortune 500 companies, first responders, the military, and the intelligence community.

In her highly participatory presentation, she demonstrates the relevance of visual literacy across the professional spectrum and how analyzing works of art affords participants in her program an innovative way to refresh their sense of critical inquiry and reconsider the skills necessary for improved performance and effective leadership. The program has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The CBS Evening News, and Smithsonian Magazine, among others. Her TED talk, A Lesson in Looking, went live in December 2018. Ms. Herman holds an A.B., a J.D., and an M.A. in art history. Her book, Visual Intelligence, was published in May 2016 and was on both the New York Times and Washington Post best sellers’ lists.

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The Art of Perception: Seeing What Matters Now

Based on her best-selling book, Visual Intelligence, Amy Herman’s workshop, The Art of Perception, is an interactive program that teaches participants across the professional
spectrum to analyze works of art as a vehicle to enhance their observation, perception, and communication skills. Looking at works of art as a group will challenge participants’ assumptions --- individually and collectively -- and refresh critical inquiry skills by incorporating multiple perspectives into their thinking. In light of the pandemic’s shift in our situational awareness, the program’s exercises are designed to meet new accessibility challenges to a virtual community and refresh the ability to communicate concisely and effectively especially in the face of change. Works of art are engaged to address breakdowns in precise communication of critical information, navigate new landscapes, and remove assumptions to promote best
practices and more effective problem-solving. Prepare to have your eyes opened when you didn’t even know they were closed.

Getting to Fixed: New Lenses for Problem Solving

Building on the skills of visual intelligence taught in The Art of Perception course, Amy Herman’s newest session, Getting to Fixed: New Lenses for Effective Problem Solving, based on her new book, Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem-Solving (December 2021) teaches how to use works of art to see impediments from a different perspective and challenge our default thinking. The last two years have afforded all of us an opportunity to shift the paradigm to reconsider our available resources to craft innovative solutions. This highly participatory
workshop leverages these new insights to open up possibilities otherwise overlooked and provide sustainable tools to resolve myriad problems, from minor annoyances to intractable
dilemmas. Things go wrong all the time, but what matters most is understanding what we can do to fix them.

Booksby Amy Herman

Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving

Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life

Blog Posts

The Transformative Power of Improv That Will Unleash Your Creative Edge

What can you expect from an improv session? Learn how it helps boost creativity and inspire leadership with insights from Tony-award winning group freestyle+.

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Start Risk-Taking Like a Poker Pro Now with Caspar Berry

Risk-taking isn't gambling: learn how bold decisions on the poker table translates into innovative leadership, with insights from keynote speaker Caspar Berry.

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Heart Health Mastery: Transforming Workplace Wellness from the Inside Out

Prioritize heart health with actionable strategies for stress management and workplace wellness this American Heart Month. ❤️

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The Roots of Authentic Leadership Start with Self-Discovery

Transform your approach to leadership and ignite lasting change within your organization with insights from keynote speaker Amy Eliza Wong.

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Unlock the Power of Friendship for a Healthier Life with Shasta Nelson

A resilient commitment to friendship is the foundation for thriving at work and a healthier life. Embrace these strategies from keynote speaker Shasta Nelson.

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Cultivating a Confidence Mindset and Go From Chaos to Triumph

Transform chaos into strategic success with a confident mindset—insights from mindset keynote speaker Andrew Busch.

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Blog Posts

 

The Transformative Power of Improv That Will Unleash Your Creative Edge

Have you ever wondered if the secret to true creativity lies in embracing discomfort? What...

Read More

Start Risk-Taking Like a Poker Pro Now with Caspar Berry

Have you ever considered that the skills required to win at poker can also pave...

Read More

Heart Health Mastery: Transforming Workplace Wellness from the Inside Out

Have you ever considered how your heart health directly impacts every aspect of your life?...

Read More

The Roots of Authentic Leadership Start with Self-Discovery

https://youtu.be/NV6B5rkyLc8 Have you ever wondered why many companies struggle to cultivate true leadership among their...

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Unlock the Power of Friendship for a Healthier Life with Shasta Nelson

Have you ever wondered why true friendship remains the cornerstone of both personal well-being and...

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Cultivating a Confidence Mindset and Go From Chaos to Triumph

In today’s volatile environment, how can leaders transform chaos into a strategic advantage? The answer...

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