Paint with a kitchen sponge.
Creative individuals are often expected to constantly think outside the box, yet somehow we find ourselves confined—staring at a box.
True creativity requires mastery of the practice, not just the technique. Technical skills are merely the starting point, and once acquired, we must move beyond them to discover our unique voice. Creativity is born from personal exploration, improvisation, living in inquiry, and fostering genuine relationships.
All Star Jazz Group assembled for the CBS Radio program.
Michael Jones suggests that creating space for ideas to come to us—rather than actively searching for them—is crucial to creativity. I’ve personally struggled with on-demand creativity and arrived at a similar conclusion. My most creative solutions often surface when I’m not actively pursuing them.
One creative leader I find particularly inspiring is David Hieatt, founder of The Hiut Denim Co. in his hometown of Cardigan, Wales. What draws me to David is his untraditional approach to leadership. For example, one of his employees, passionate about surfing, doesn’t come into work on good surf days. This kind of unconventional leadership is exactly what we need. In a blog post on his website, David emphasizes the importance of not setting obvious goals—an example of non-traditional, creative thinking.