Image: Cathryn Lloyd.
Why Creativity?
If you’ve been with me a while, you know that so much of my work with Maverick Minds has always circled back to creativity. I approach creativity from both the artist’s sense, as well as creativity as a way of thinking, exploring, and making sense of change. I think of it as striving to be artful in how we work and engage with others, regardless of the profession we work in.
Robert Austin and Lee Devin highlight in their book Artful Making: What Managers Need to Know About How Artists Work, “whenever you have no blueprint to tell you in detail what to do, you must work artfully”.
The idea that we can have static blueprints is fanciful. Instead, what we should cultivate is a way of being and thinking that is resourceful, flexible, curious, resilient, and allows us to unlock our greatest natural resource – our creative intelligence. Great leadership recognises this and will look for ways to allow that to flourish.
This philosophy is the thread that runs through my facilitation, coaching, and writing, including my book Seriously Playful Creativity.
Introducing the Creativity Key
That’s why I’m introducing the Creativity Key, a new feature to explore and experiment with. Each month, I’ll offer a short prompt to help you unlock fresh perspectives, experiment with new ways of seeing, and bring more creativity into your practice. Think of it as a playful nudge, something to try, reflect on, or share with others.
This month, I’m beginning by noticing Spring (in my part of the world). Spring is full of signals – jasmine in the air, carpet pythons on the move. Not everything blooms at once, but the signs of change are everywhere. For others it will be Autumn and you’ll notice different signals.
Our work and lives are the same. Change often begins quietly, in small shifts, before it becomes visible. The trick is noticing. And we all notice in different ways.
As William Bridges said, “beginnings depend on endings.”
Right now, pause and ask yourself:
- What signals am I noticing or overlooking right now?
- What needs to come to an end to allow for a new beginning?
- What could bloom if given more energy and intention?
I’d love to hear what signals are budding in your world?
And if you’re interested, here’s a link to my book Seriously Playful Creativity
Image: Cathryn Lloyd.