A Creative Pursuit - Creativity In Leadership Workplace

Is ‘Creativity’ in leadership a mysterious, inaccessible attribute? Can you remain inspired when you constantly find yourself at odds with the larger part of your team(s)?

- Giselle S. Harrison

Creativity brought in by an artist has often been approached with apprehension, as people expect chaos. Leadership, on the other hand, has often been thought of as a more controlled and organized management style. Personal talent, drive, and dedication aren’t attributes restricted to an artist in a studio.

Dreamily, I dipped my brush into a little glass bottle of Prussian blue paint and watched in fascination as its color stained my bold, white canvas. It was beautiful. Encouraged, I went straight for the red, the slightest hint of brown, followed closely by another shade of blue, some burnt orange and a dash of lemon yellow. And there I had it — the perfect sunset sky! Almost as perfect as the Leonid Afremov, Before a Storm.

18 years later, I look at this painting, hanging faded, yet vibrant in my cramped office; and then I glance at the sleek, new ‘Certificate of Leadership Excellence’ hanging right next to it. Wearily, I recall how I had always been told, “You’re wasting your time – Why don’t you put that effort into your business degree?” Recollecting all that I’ve brought to my team over the years, I realize that a business degree did not have much to do with the kind of leader I am today — that painting however, did.

It’s interesting that some of the attributes that distinguish great artists from mediocre ones are the same qualities that distinguish exceptional leaders, from their average counterparts. Great artists and creative leaders alike are known to be persistent, passionate, focused, and always inspired! But like John Maeda pointed out, the underlying stereotype is always going to be, ‘Artists make Art. Artists do not lead organizations.’ Haven’t we all heard it? Or haven’t we made that same assumption to some degree?