We think creativity will magically fall into our hands.
We think the conditions must be perfect. We think it is reserved for artists.
But whatever you do in business, creativity is not optional.
Nicolas Dufourcq, Managing Director of the French investment bank BPI,said:
“The day you can no longer express your creativity in your mission, it’s time to leave.”
When I reflect on my corporate career, my best moments were when I could truly express my creativity. But how do you develop it when you are overwhelmed with KPIs, budgets, and board meetings?
Here are 3 secrets from successful artists to boost your career and your life:
1/ Inspiration can be ordered
The Concept: Constraints like strict deadlines and low budgets are not obstacles.They are the fuel your creativity needs.
The Action: Take a project that is moving too slowly. Cut the deadline in half on paper today. Force your brain to find a new, faster way to deliver it.
Coaching Question: How can I use my current business constraints as an asset to speed up my most important project?
(Note: The French writer Edmond Rostand had zero inspiration for 2 years. A director challenged him to write a play in two weeks. He took the impossible constraint. “Cyrano de Bergerac” was born.)
2/ Inspiration is a daily process
The Concept: Do not wait for the perfect conditions. Build a daily system to capture your small, passing ideas.
The Action: Create a single “Impulse” note on your phone. Every time you have a small thought or observe something interesting, write it down immediately. Review it on Friday. (I use Evernote on my phone and computer to do that)
Coaching Question: What simple system can I build today to capture my daily snippets of inspiration before I forget them?
(Note: The famous comedian Gad Elmaleh doesn’t wait for inspiration. He writes down everyday life scenes on his phone, transfers them to a large file, and keeps only the best for his next show.)
3/ Creativity is not a choice
The Concept: Creativity is the only way to find meaning, stand out from the competition, and find the “flow” in your daily corporate mission.
The Action: Look at your calendar for tomorrow. Pick one routine meeting that always runs the same way. Decide to run it differently to test a new approach.
Coaching Question: If I had to inject creativity into my current role, what are the things I would change?
(Note: Nathan Sawaya, a former business lawyer who became world-famous for his Lego creations, simply says: “Art is not optional.”)
The Bottom Line
Let’s not wait for inspiration to fall on our heads.
Let’s not wait for the perfect conditions.
Let’s not wait for the constraints to disappear.
Create your inspiration to have fun, stand out, and accelerate your most important projects.
Changing behavior is hard. Elite athletes never reach the podium alone. They use a coach to spot blind spots and adjust behavior.
You are a corporate athlete. Your daily challenges are your Olympic games.
Let’s embark on this transformative journey, unlocking your leadership’s and team’s true potential.
Let’s have a 15-minute talk to define your next step.
Thank you. Dror.
( Say hello on Linkedin)
PS: Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 ways I can help you accelerate your career through coaching:
For Aspiring Senior Leaders/C-Suite:
- Accelerate Your Path to Leadership: I help you create your big picture and build a plan to accelerate your path. Let’s schedule a 15-minute call to explore if we can work together.
For Current Senior Leaders/C-Suite:
- Elevate Your Leadership Impact: You know even small refinements at your level can drive significant organizational results and career acceleration. I accompany you on your project and guarantee the result. Schedule a focused 15-minute discussion.
Leave a Reply