Most adults believe they’re not very creative or they don’t understand how to express their creativity professionally. Somewhere along the way while growing up, creativity seems to vanish as children become adults. That’s my story. I had a very limited understanding of my personal creativity until I was well into my adult life and wrote my first book, The Way To Greatness. Perhaps that’s your story too. Maybe you still don’t consider yourself to be a creative person because of this misunderstanding.
The problem with not embracing and utilizing your creativity is that you’ll limit your options in decision-making. Leaders need to be creative problem-solvers in our increasingly complex world. Standardized answers and solutions rarely meet the needs of the situations we face.
In order to express your creativity and become a more effective leader, implement the following three actions:
1 – Understand Your Contribution
First, you must understand the unique contribution that you bring to your team or organization. You are one-of-a-kind. There’s no one else on planet Earth like you. Your thoughts are different from others’. Your perspectives are different. You have unique knowledge, skills, and experiences. These are all extremely valuable when you are problem-solving or brainstorming new ideas. In order to understand your contribution better, begin listing anything you believe makes you different from your peers and followers. This list will lead to greater insights that you can utilize moving forward.
2 – Engage Your Imagination
When you begin to embrace and engage your imagination, it’s like finding gold or striking oil deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Your imagination is extremely powerful and valuable in your leadership. Finding creative solutions and ways to address challenges makes you more valuable. It gives you greater credibility and influence. While our imaginations are often suppressed as we become “responsible adults”, it’s vital that you reconnect your imagination with your decision-making. Change up your normal environment when you feel your imagination is lacking. Take a walk outside, visit an unfamiliar place, read a book that you normally wouldn’t pick up, listen to a podcast, etc. It’s amazing where creative ideas come from!
3 – Design Your Solution
Now that you’re clearer on your unique contribution and are intentionally engaging your imagination, it’s time to design solutions for growth or to address challenges. It’s critical to understand that everything created was first envisioned in the mind of the creator. A house begins in the mind of an architect as they create the blueprints. A car begins with an engineer’s vision. Products are designed first in the mind of the creator, then manufactured for use. Problems are solved first in the mind, then implemented in reality. When you need to find solutions, set aside time to pray, think, and dream. Once you have a clear picture of a product or solution in your mind, you can begin to turn it into reality. This only happens when you express your creativity in unique, tangible ways.
While it may not be normal or comfortable for you, it is possible to express your unique creativity more intentionally.
Imagine how your team will feel when you bring creative solutions to them.
Imagine the results of carving out quiet time to pray, think, and dream so you can help your team and organization become more successful.
Imagine rolling out new creative initiatives or products to address organizational or customer challenges.
This can be your reality when you choose to intentionally express your creativity. As you do this, you’ll better understand the power of and necessity for creativity in your leadership.
In my new book, The Magnetic Leader: 18 Essential Actions of Leaders People Love to Follow, I go much deeper into Essential Action #8 – Expresses Creativity. CLICK HERE to join the waiting list to get updates on when the book will be released and receive a FREE POSTER revealing all 18 Essential Actions!
Until next time…make today GREAT!
