One of my most significant accomplishments this year was attending the “Leading for Creativity” class at IDEO-U.
It was the first of three courses in the “Foundation in Creative Leadership” Certificate, a program designed and instructed by “Tim Brown,” the founder of the DEO organization and the godfather of “Design thinking.
For eight weeks, I was super fortunate to be part of a global community of leaders, to discover Tim’s leadership philosophy and methods, and to learn how leaders should lead with vision, through culture, and alongside a creative team. I Gained techniques that guide others through uncertainty using experimentation and shift the culture by tapping into beliefs and behaviors that support creativity.
Lead with a strong point of view:
The role you play is like that of an explorer, setting off
across the unknown. Explorers have an inspiring vision.
If they don’t, people won’t follow their lead. They hold to
that vision and take risks, to get that much closer to their
destination.
Leading through Culture:
The role you play is like that of a gardener. They know
the conditions needed for creativity to flourish, such as
providing inspiration when energy is low. When challenges
crop up, they act swiftly to address them.
Leading Alongside Your Team
The role you play is like that of a coach—the kind that’s
authentic and relatable. The coach is on the field, at eye
level, offering guidance on the fly.
I ended this intense program full of understanding about the kind of creative leader I should be: the one who always looking for answers through questions,, the one who is always able to set a culture that secures freedom to fail, and always delivers guidance whenever needed so the creative process can be smoother, prolific, and fruitful.
This course is highly recommended for any creative who strives to sharpen his leadership skills and learn the best techniques for leading creative teams toward flourishing and unstoppable creative solutions.