Where Art, Life and Leadership Collide
- 8 Creativity Cultivators--things to do EVERYDAY to foster creativity and well being in work and life
- The Leader's Studio
1. Read something unrelated to your field/industry--a magazine article, a poem, a children's book, a new app (like the Tibetan Bowls) and ask: How does this apply to a current problem I am trying to solve in my field?
2. Look at advertisements for products and services not in your field and ask: What is the concept behind this product? How might that concept apply to a problem I am working on? What are the attributes of this product or service and how might they apply to a product or service I am trying to develop/enhance? Here's one that caught my attention in the New York Times Magazine section to try out. www.boccia.com. Click on Design Your Own Watch. Play around.
3. Find an inspirational quote and ask: Where do I have opportunities to live this quote in my life and work? Example: "I think to be creative you have to resist taking the easy path." David Libeskind, architect. Look at the quote every day for a week before going on to your next one.
4. Choose a random metaphor and apply it to a current problem or challenge you are facing. Example: Let's say you are trying to come up with a new product. Metaphor: Broccoli. Ask yourself in what ways do I want my product to be like broccoli. Trust me. It's going to stimulate some worthwhile ideas.
5. Listen to someone who has a different point of view. Then try on that person's perspective by asking what assumptions do I hold that this point of view challenges.
6. Take a time out by yourself--10-15 minutes--shut the door, turn off the phone, even better, get out of the office all together--and put yourself in a quiet state of mind by focusing on your breathing. Empty your head of thoughts and to-do lists. Breathe in and out. In and out. Then identify something specific for which you are grateful--your health, a relationship, an experience, Spring! Give gratitude for that which you have identified.
7. Find something to laugh about and share it with someone.
8. Eat a piece of dark chocolate. That's right--every day! Seriously. The research is in. It's good for you. It supports creativity. Ask Miles Monroe--remember him? He's the anti-hero in Woody Allen's Sleeper movie. [Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), the same chemical you brain creates when you feel like you are falling in love.]
Truth be told, I rarely get to do ALL of these EVERY DAY. But there is one I NEVER fail to do. Want to guess which one?
The Leader's Studio
The Leader's Studio is a multifaceted learning platform designed to develop 21st century leaders while enabling them to accelerate innovative solutions to real time challenges.
In the past few years firms such as IBM and Deloitte have surveyed CEOs, Chief HR Officers and business leaders around the world in an effort to understand their leadership needs in a highly fluid environment. What emerges from these studies is a brave new world characterized by rapid change, disruption and uncertainty on all levels of society. The studies recognize that a dramatically new suite of leadership skills is needed than even 10 years ago. These skills include creativity, nimbleness, resilience, comfort with uncertainty, agility. The Leader's Studio is designed to develop and amplify these very skills.
The Leader's Studio game changing approach leads to two critical outcomes:
- Leaders with 21st century skills
- Innovative solutions to current business and organizational challenges
If you work with clients who you think might benefit from The Leader's Studio and would like to explore how we might collaborate please email me by clicking here.
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