Creativity

Creativity is proper to every human being, as long as it has the possibility to give freedom to its capacity for expression. A Leader with the ability to use his creative intelligence to create new ideas and new possibilities to do differently the tasks planned to achieve the proposed results, opens a permanent window to Innovation. A Leader who puts his Talent and Creativity at the service of the development and growth of the company and/or organization, has the ability to start a permanent process of thinking ‘out of the box’, challenging himself and everyone else (to those who lead and with all those who are important to his activity and who perform roles in collaborative partners). While Creativity is an individual process, Innovation is a collective process. Hence the importance of the leader’s role in the expression of his Creativity, enhancing his positive energy, his capacity for inspiration and inspiration, as well as a strengthening of enthusiasm in interaction with all others.

1. Perception of the problem: instead of being something purely rational that corresponds to the identification of the problem, the Leader has to give space to his intuition to open the window of perception and ‘feel’ the existence of a problem that is necessary to solve. 

2. Problem analysis: the rational mind of the Leader is in charge of converting the observation of the problem into a theoretical or mental model that can be framed with the mission of the company and/or organization.  

3. Communicate the urgency of the solution: at this stage, it is indispensable that the Leader can communicate to his team (internal and/or external to the company and/or organization), the urgency of the change. A motivating and energetic communication that answers the main questions: why find a new solution? and for what? Understanding what alignment is needed with the mission of the company and/or organization is important for a total coherence between what is being proposed and created and the results that must be achieved. 

4. Consider the problem in teamwork: the discussion about the problem needs to be solved must be conducted by the Leader, opening a space of trust and active participation of all, so that the whole team can bring the ‘insights’ of the solution that can allow to become a true ‘eureka!’. 

5. Define a plan/prototype for the solution: after considering the solution to the problem, it is essential to prepare a plan and schedule of the activities necessary for its implementation. The Leader must delegate to his team the execution of this process, constantly monitoring and giving feed-back on the various stages and on the performance of each of the employees. 

6. Testing the solution with your potential customers: with the solution defined, it is indispensable to test, test and test. The possibility of creating intense partnership relationships with its customers allows the Leader and his team to perform proactive tests, involving those for whom a solution has been found to better serve their needs. At this stage, the Leader should continue to use the ability to communicate to make known the advantages and benefits of the new solution. An opportunity to demonstrate the creative and innovative capacity of the company and/or organization. 

7. Continuously improving the solution requires new solutions: this process does not end when searching for a solution to a particular problem. Finding a solution to an existing problem opens up the possibility of understanding that there are other problems for which new solutions are needed. A process of improvement and continuous improvement that allows the company and/or organization to pursue excellence. 

Creativity is above all action. To stimulate creativity is to try new things and, if they don’t work, to try others again. It’s solving problems differently. It is to see the problems from other perspectives and always find new opportunities. Creativity is a permanent challenge that requires the Leader to have a ‘beginner’s mind’. For Creativity and the creative process to happen, the Leader must open a space in his mind, within the to-do list. This space can only arise if the Leader uses his Talent to prioritize the tasks important to fulfill his mission. 

In a world increasingly in constant accelerated change, more volatile, more uncertain and ambiguous, the practice of Creativity facilitates greater openness to the need for change. A Leader prepared to deal with the growing complexity that exists, more easily manages the need for control (which gives the feeling of security and tranquility). The Fear of not controlling everything prevents the stimulus of the creation of new ideas, new processes and thus compromises the achievement of different results. Overcoming Fear is understanding that the only thing the Leader can control is his actions and attitudes. If these two allow to make more conscious decisions, leadership can follow its path by making it possible at every moment to do what is within its power and, at every moment, the Leader assumes to be the protagonist, assuming a proactive and positive attitude, taking care of everything he can. In companies and/or organizations of today’s world should be inscribed the phrase from a Portuguese poet: ‘Forbidden entry to those who are not amazed to exist’ (José Gomes Ferreira). The ability to amaze at reality drives away the fear that can prevent us from reaching our greatest potential. 

Creativity is not just something a Leader does when he puts it into practice. Creativity unveils the authentic self-expression of the Leader’s deep Being. If the connection with this deep Being is conscious and based on a Mindful attitude, it is possible that authentic Values can be transmitted and perceived by those who serve leadership. Therefore, I bet on a Leadership that uses Creativity to perfect virtues, complemented by the basic principles of Mindfulness, such as: attention and presence, concentration or focus, acceptance without resignation, patience and joy, openness and curiosity, calm, equanimity or constancy, determination, kindness, generosity and gratitude.