Surreal illustration of skin interwoven with text and nature.

Decoding the Body's Language in the Workplace: How 'Skin-Writing' Can Transform Management Learning

Soraya Malik in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover hidden insights and revolutionize your approach to the managed self by exploring the power of embodied experience in organizational studies."

In an era increasingly focused on holistic well-being and authentic leadership, the rigid boundaries of traditional management studies are beginning to blur. There’s a growing recognition that our lived experiences, particularly those deeply embedded in our bodies, hold invaluable insights into how we navigate the 'organized' lives within the workplace.

Enter the concept of 'skin-writing'—a metaphorical framework that challenges conventional approaches to management learning. It dares to suggest that our bodies, our 'skin,' serve as a negotiating interface between the internal, lived experience and the external, abstract world of organizational structures. Imagine writing not just about management, but with the very essence of your being.

This innovative approach, championed by Deborah N Brewis and Eley Williams, invites us to reconsider how we perceive and interact within organizational settings. By acknowledging and integrating the often-suppressed voices of our bodies, we can unlock deeper understandings of management, leadership, and the very nature of the 'managed self.'

What is 'Skin-Writing' and Why Does It Matter?

Surreal illustration of skin interwoven with text and nature.

At its core, 'skin-writing' is about recognizing the body as a primary source of knowledge, challenging the long-standing dominance of purely rational, abstract thought in management studies. It suggests that our skin—the boundary between our inner and outer worlds—acts as a canvas upon which our experiences, emotions, and interactions are inscribed.

Traditional management approaches often prioritize externalization and abstraction, focusing on quantifiable metrics and strategic frameworks while dismissing the subjective, lived experiences of individuals within the organization. This can lead to a disconnect between theory and practice, leaving individuals feeling alienated and disempowered.

Bridging the Gap: Skin-writing seeks to bridge this gap by explicitly incorporating embodied experience into the learning process.
A New Lens: It encourages us to examine how our bodies react to workplace environments, how emotions manifest physically, and how these sensations inform our understanding of organizational dynamics.
Challenging Assumptions: By paying attention to the often-overlooked language of the body, we can challenge ingrained assumptions, disrupt conventional power structures, and foster more inclusive and human-centered workplaces.

Consider, for instance, the subtle cues of discomfort or tension we might experience during a high-stakes meeting. These physical sensations, often dismissed as mere stress, could be invaluable indicators of underlying power imbalances, communication breakdowns, or ethical concerns within the group. Skin-writing encourages us to listen to these cues, to interpret them as data points that can inform our understanding and guide our actions.

The Future of Management Learning: Embracing the Body's Wisdom

As the world of work continues to evolve, the need for more holistic, human-centered approaches to management learning becomes increasingly urgent. Skin-writing offers a compelling framework for integrating embodied experience into the learning process, unlocking deeper understandings of ourselves, our organizations, and the complex interplay between the two. By embracing the wisdom of the body, we can pave the way for more authentic, inclusive, and ultimately, more successful workplaces.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/1350507618800715, Alternate LINK

Title: Writing As Skin: Negotiating The Body In(To) Learning About The Managed Self

Subject: Management of Technology and Innovation

Journal: Management Learning

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Deborah N Brewis, Eley Williams

Published: 2018-09-28

Everything You Need To Know

What is 'skin-writing' and how does it redefine management learning?

'Skin-writing,' as introduced by Deborah N Brewis and Eley Williams, is a metaphorical framework that posits the body, specifically our 'skin,' as a crucial interface between internal experiences and external organizational structures. It moves away from purely rational, abstract approaches to management. Instead, 'skin-writing' suggests that our bodies are primary sources of knowledge. It encourages us to consider the body's reactions and sensations in the workplace, leading to a deeper understanding of management, leadership, and the 'managed self'.

How does the concept of 'skin-writing' challenge traditional management practices?

Traditional management often focuses on quantifiable metrics and strategic frameworks, sometimes overlooking the subjective experiences of individuals. 'Skin-writing' challenges this by integrating embodied experience into the learning process. It encourages examination of how the body reacts to the workplace and how these reactions inform understanding of organizational dynamics. This approach helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, potentially disrupting conventional power structures and fostering more human-centered workplaces.

In what ways can the body's unspoken language provide insights into workplace dynamics?

The body's unspoken language, as interpreted through 'skin-writing,' can provide critical insights into workplace dynamics. For instance, subtle cues of discomfort or tension during meetings can indicate underlying power imbalances, communication breakdowns, or ethical concerns. By paying attention to these physical sensations, often dismissed as mere stress, individuals can gain valuable data that can inform understanding and guide actions within the organization.

How can integrating 'skin-writing' contribute to a more inclusive workplace?

Integrating 'skin-writing' can foster a more inclusive workplace by acknowledging and valuing the often-suppressed voices of our bodies. By recognizing the body as a source of knowledge and experience, organizations can challenge ingrained assumptions and disrupt conventional power structures. This approach promotes a deeper understanding of individuals' experiences, leading to environments where diverse perspectives and embodied experiences are valued, leading to greater inclusivity and empathy within the workplace.

What is the future of management learning according to the principles of 'skin-writing'?

The future of management learning, as envisioned through 'skin-writing,' involves a shift towards more holistic and human-centered approaches. It advocates for integrating embodied experience into the learning process. By embracing the wisdom of the body, organizations can unlock deeper understandings of themselves, their structures, and the complex interplay between the two. This paradigm shift paves the way for more authentic, inclusive, and ultimately, more successful workplaces, emphasizing the importance of understanding the 'managed self' through the lens of embodied experience.