Your Creativity Makes You A Better Leader

Leaders, don’t be fooled! Creativity is your “secret sauce” because leading isn’t about simply maintaining what is. Leading is about solving problems in new and innovative ways and venturing into uncharted waters.

What exactly do I mean by creativity? I’m referring to a leader’s ability to…

• Come up with innovative solutions to tough problems
• Adapt and THRIVE in an ever-changing world
• Think outside the box
• Think beyond the ways things have always been done
• Be open-minded
• Make “lemonade out of lemons”
• Not fear failure – learn from it and keep on going!
• Invite ideas and collaboration from others
• Experiment and take risks
• Challenge the status quo
• Be resourceful
• Use their imagination
• Challenge themselves intellectually
• Embrace mindfulness
• Ask great questions – open-ended questions that inspires themselves and others to think in novel ways

Problem #1

It’s pretty tough to be creative when you are perpetually running around like a chicken with your head cut off. After all, a frantic pace is hardly fertile ground for creativity!

Your creativity is unlocked in the slow moments. That means you must slow down and allow there to be margin in your life. When there’s space for your mind to wander and you are available to participate in new and interesting experiences, it nourishes your creativity. It doesn’t have to be intentional endeavors, because even a silly movie or unhurried time with a friend has the potential to spark your creative juices.

You are able to maximize your creativity by carving out space in your life – space to reflect, evaluate, dream, brainstorm, imagine, and problem solve.

Problem #2

Leaders are doers. Taking time to engage in the activities that will happily fuel their creativity and enhance the way they lead might seem frivolous. Yet thinking, playing, and exploring not only increases your creativity, but it allows you to lead at a higher and more innovative level, which is anything but frivolous!

Creativity Suppressors

There are other factors that limit your creativity, including…

• Being disorganized
• Lacking discipline
• S-T-R-E-S-S
• Conflict
• Fear
• The inability to relax
• Having difficulty letting go and/or delegating
• Lacking purpose
• An unsafe environment
• Not getting enough sleep
• Trying to be perfect
• Unhealthy habits – diet, exercise, etc.
• Being chained to your desk and not regularly taking breaks
• Lack of margin
• Poor boundaries

Which of these factors do you relate to?

But I’m Not A Creative Person

Creativity is not a trait that some have and others don’t. Everyone has the ability to be creative. How your creativity plays out might be quite different from how my creativity shows up, but you are creative! The question is: are you doing what it takes to nurture?

Don’t worry, being creative doesn’t mean that you have to have all the ideas. It’s really about creating a culture where offering ideas, feeling heard, taking risks, and being valued is encouraged. Then creativity flourishes.

When creativity and purpose partner up it leads to THRIVING for the individuals, teams, and organizations! The fruit of that kind of environment: engagement!

Before I go on to share some of the happy perks to investing in your creativity, I wanted to introduce you to three creative Christian leaders just for fun.

1. Craig Groeschel – Senior Pastor of Life.Church and creator of the YouVersion Bible App

Life.Church, or Life Covenant Church as it was called in 1996, was started in Craig’s garage in Edmond, Oklahoma. Currently Life.Church is one of the largest churches in the US averaging about 85,000 attendees weekly in 46 physical campuses.

Craig’s creative approach involved using technology, which allowed him to expand his audience through the use of videos to deliver sermons to multi-site locations.

While the YouVersion Bible App was initially Bobby Gruenewald’s creative idea, Craig not only supported the idea, but backed the project. It was Craig’s desire to leverage technology to make the Bible more readily available and free to people around the world.

Where did the inspiration come from? Pondering how Gutenberg’s printing press made the Bible accessible, they launched a website with the intent to create community around the Bible, except their plan didn’t work!

In near desperation, they offered a mobile version of the site about the time Apple launched a new thing called “apps.” Within three days of the YouVersion Bible App launching, it was downloaded on 83,000 devises!

“We [his team] are faith-filled, big-thinking, bet-the-farm risk takers. We will never insult God with small thinking or safe living.” — Craig Groeschel

That’s some serious creativity!

Here are a few of the practices that aid in making space for creativity for Craig:

• • • Tuesdays are set aside for content creation – no meetings! Interruptions are the enemy of creativity.
    • Whatever he is wanting to accomplish, he sets up the environment suitable for that.
    • He carefully analyzes what’s working and what’s not working.
    • Rather than being ruled by what is urgent, he schedules his priorities.
    • He doesn’t just delegate tasks, he delegates authority.
    • Instead of rushing to complete content, he takes his time. In fact, weeks might go by before he returns to an outline, giving him plenty of time to contemplate the topic.
    • He starts early when his mind is sharpest and it’s quiet.

2. Louie Giglio – Pastor of passion City Church and founder of the Passion Movement

His aim was to reach students through worship, scripture, and global activism. He had a knack for presenting facts in breathtaking and impactful ways. Indescribable is an amazing example of that.

Louie views creativity as a process of “finding fresh textures, tones, and temperatures to express truths so they resonate with different people at different times.”

For Louie, protecting his creativity is about making sure…

• • • His creative output magnifies God rather than himself.
    • Guarding his mind and not allowing fear, stress, or toxic thought patterns to crowd out his creativity.
    • Truth is communicated in artistically fresh ways.
    • He is surrounded by other creative individuals –he thrives in a collaborative environment.

3. Otis Moss III – Senior pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago

Otis is known for his innovative “Blue Note” preaching style which…

• • • Acknowledges systemic struggle, historical pain, and existential weariness rather than being overly positive.
    • Honors both lament and celebration, which appeals to both older and younger generations.
    • Offers hope and empowers people despite dark, troubling times and systemic injustice.
    • Is delivered in a jazzy, improvisational way that connects faith with daily realities.

Moss’s unique preaching style has been described as preaching with “hip-hop in one ear and the gospel in the other.”

What has stirred his creativity and contributed to a preaching style quite different from the norm?

His influences including…

• • • His father, Dr. Otis Moss Jr., a prominent civil rights leader and pastor
    • The tradition, legacy, and theology of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
    • Music – jazz, blues, and hip-hop
    • Literature
    • Education

While all three of these leaders just happen to be pastors, there are thousands of other examples of creative leaders! What stands out to me about all three of these creative examples is that they weren’t trying to be like anyone else, they were bravely stepping out in the unique way that God had equipped and gifted them! And they didn’t mind taking risks!

You many never experience the notoriety these three have, however, you too have been gifted uniquely and have the potential to use your talents in creative ways! Are you willing to take the risk?

3 Compelling Reasons To Cultivate Your Creativity

I trust you are inspired to lean into your own special brand of “Secret Sauce” because it makes you…

1. Valuable

It’s scary to take risks and potentially fail, yet the people you notice are creative people. They stand out.

As one of those creative folks, you’ll become the “go to” person for solving problems with innovative solutions and sought out of your own unique twist. That’s when your value grows exponentially!

2. Vulnerable

Putting new ideas out there takes courage. It’s a vulnerable place to be, but don’t worry! People appreciate vulnerability and authenticity. They look up to the brave souls who show up that way! Those are traits that actually make you more likeable, expand your influence, and contribute to building trust!

3. Viral

The more creative you are, the more it invites those around you to become more creative. It all trickles down! Imagine the impact all that creativity could have on the goals of your organization!

Inspired to do what it takes to develop your own special “secret sauce?”

I hope so! I’ve got a few more resources for you that will help cultivate your creativity, and help you protect the space needed for your creativity to shine!

This Really Revs Up Your Amazing Creativity

Wow! Maybe Your Are Crushing Your Creativity

When Your Creativity Shines You Really Thrive!

10 Easy Tips To Enjoying More Margin

Really Great Reasons To Work Less