Creative

Definition: “Producing or using original and unusual ideas” from the Cambridge dictionary

Leadership

Definition: “The practical skill of influencing or guiding others” from Wikipedia

I just thought I’d put these definitions up here. Undoubtedly, they are extendable in so many ways. But it’s good to have them as a reference.

Knowing you can’t know everything

Yesterday I jotted down some things I know Creative leaders do. I know that from my own experience and observing quite a few creative leaders in various fields that I know and worked with. That said, I know that list is far from being complete and that there are probably many other things creative leaders do. 

The thing is, I want to distinguish the great ones; I have my reasons, but who am I to judge, right? 

Only history can distinguish great creative leaders and possibly the people who work with them. 

So, as I mentioned yesterday, I launched this specific research project about creative leadership. The following steps consist of going deeper into “what great creative leaders do” and interviewing people about creative leadership. 

Cultivating a growth mindset

Being a creative leader for the better part of my professional career taught me to practice and keep a learning orientation. In other words, I know what I don’t know, and at various stages of my career, I set out to learn the skills and knowledge that served me at the time. 

What’s going on here is my new learning process. I hope you will join my exploration.

Dovetailing on Stacey Cornelius’s comment from yesterday, saying she liked point number five: ‘Creative Leaders are the first to admit they don’t know something.’ I’d like to think that implies they have a learning orientation or growth mindset, as some people love to call this now. 

What about you? Do you have a learning orientation or a growth mindset? How does it manifest in your leadership if you’re a creative leader? Are you quick to admit you don’t know something? Do you ask for help from your team, or do you go about learning what you need to know otherwise?

Let us know in the comments below.

Also, please share this content if you think it may be of value to any creative leader you know.