All great leaders are creative.
So, in turn, are their teams.
Not in the narrow sense of art or music or design, but the broader sense of original thought.
A problem with the perception many have of creativity, is that it’s just about arts or entertainment. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Being creative isn’t a mysterious process or pre-ordained magic.
You can be creative. You just have to choose to, and practice daily.
Having original thoughts isn’t hard. Turning them into actions is a habit you can build.
As a creative leader you don’t imitate, you explore. You go where no one has gone before.
It’s about small choices you make.
Choose to ask the question that pops into your head, rather than leave it. Especially the uncomfortable one.
Choose to go look at a situation rather than just talk or read about it.
Choose to look behind a closed door rather than walk past.
When it’s hard to decide which option is best, choose the original one rather than the familiar one. Just for the experience.
When a decision effects people you don’t know, choose to go talk to them before you decide, rather than assume you already know everything.
When you have time, choose to meet people and see teams in operation rather than… whatever else you do when you have time.
Choose to see what your competitors do rather than assume they’re not as good as you.
These choices aren’t about taking stupid risks, they’re about creating a habit of exploration.
Being curious.
Tell your team to be creative, don’t let them choose the same old same old.
As a leader you set the example. Whatever you do, good or bad, carries weight.
When you choose familiarity, they will too. When you’re creative, your team will be also. Maybe less than you, but more than they would be if you weren’t.
They will learn how to do new things if you encourage them to make the same choices.
Some of those new things will be valuable.
They can go where no one has gone before.
“…you can be creative. You just have to choose to, and practice daily…”
When did you last try a different approach to an old problem?
How often does your team solve their own problems?
When did you last have a conversation with a team members that wasn’t shaped by a question or a problem. Just a conversation.
When an important decision had to me made, did you find a way to find out what those closest to the problem thought, before you decided?
Are you in the habit of choosing original ideas or familiar ones?
Are you an explorer?
.
.
“I might be wrong, but at least I’ve thought about it…”