Leading Everyday - Fueling Leadership with Creativity: Maya Angelou's Inspiring Insight

 

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." – Maya Angelou

The best way to get good at anything is to start. Often, we don’t start an activity, a project, or an initiative because we don’t know where to begin.

I know many people who aspire to write, be a consultant, or some other endeavor. And the single thing that stops them is that they don’t start.

There are reasons behind the hesitation. One is that they don’t think they will be good at whatever they are trying to start. But they fail to realize (me included) that you cannot get good at anything unless you start.

Yes, your first article will probably be terrible. If you land your first consulting gig, it probably won’t be as good as you hoped. But the key is to start so that momentum can be built.

I mentioned above what is at the core of the quote, Maya Angelou. You get creativity by using it, and the more you use it, the more you get.

The Nature of Creativity

Leadership has many traits, one of which is the ability to be creative. I am not talking about artistic creativity in this case. I am talking about how leaders can think differently to solve problems and innovate. In this case, creativity is not in a vacuum, nor is it done by oneself.

Creativity can and should be a collaborative event. One of the truths I have come to terms with is that I do not know everything as a leader. No leader knows everything. It’s impossible to know about every topic. Now, leaders are expected to see and learn a lot, and they should, but they also need to acknowledge that other people's ideas, feedback, and creative thinking are essential for leaders to be creative.

One of the benefits of collaborative creativity is that holistic solutions can be formed. It’s not a one-sided creative event but a fusion of diverse thoughts.

Creativity in leadership fosters adaptability and resilience. Adaptability because of what I mentioned above – creativity in leadership should be collaborative. When there are diverse ideas, leaders will avoid going all in on one idea; instead, they will go all in on a concept developed because of the myriad thoughts that went into it. It also fosters resilience because leaders can be confident that if the idea doesn’t bear the expected results, they can go back and collaborate and come up with a new concept they can try.

 Embracing a Growth Mindset

Leaders are lifelong learners who should embody Maya Angelou's wisdom: "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." This quote beautifully aligns with the concept of a growth mindset in leadership.

A growth mindset sees failures and setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth rather than roadblocks. When leaders embrace this mindset, they understand that creativity and learning are infinite resources that expand with use. Just like creativity, a growth mindset flourishes the more it is exercised.

Leaders with a growth mindset approach challenges with curiosity and resilience, viewing each experience—whether successful or not—as a chance to gain new insights and skills. They continuously strive to develop themselves and their teams, fostering an environment where innovation and adaptation thrive.

This mindset enables leaders to confidently navigate uncertainty, knowing that every obstacle is a stepping stone toward greater creativity and achievement.

Encouraging Risk-Taking

Maya Angelou's words powerfully encourage leaders to embrace risk-taking in pursuing innovation. When leaders adopt this perspective, they are more likely to empower themselves and their teams to take creative risks without fear of depleting their creative reservoir.

Successful leaders embody this philosophy understand that creativity is boundless and that failure is often a stepping stone to success. For instance, Elon Musk, known for his bold ventures such as SpaceX and Tesla, continually pushes the boundaries of innovation despite facing numerous setbacks. His willingness to take calculated risks has led to groundbreaking advancements in space exploration and electric vehicles.

Similarly, Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, transformed the lingerie industry by daring to introduce a new product concept. These leaders exemplify how embracing creative risk-taking fosters continuous growth and adaptation and cultivate a culture of resilience and innovation within their organizations. By encouraging calculated risks and learning from failures, leaders can harness the unlimited potential of creativity to drive meaningful progress and success.

Strategies for Nurturing Creativity

Nurturing creativity within leadership and teams requires intentional strategies that align with Maya Angelou's belief that creativity is boundless and grows with use. Leaders can begin by encouraging diverse perspectives within their teams to foster creativity. This means creating an inclusive environment where individuals feel empowered to share unique ideas and viewpoints without fear of judgment.

Additionally, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration can spark innovative thinking by bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and areas of expertise. By facilitating cross-functional teamwork, leaders can leverage diverse skill sets to tackle complex challenges creatively. Furthermore, allowing room for experimentation is crucial. Leaders should create a safe space for trial and error, where team members can explore unconventional approaches and learn from successes and failures. This approach not only cultivates a culture of continuous improvement but also fuels a collective sense of curiosity and innovation.

Ultimately, by adopting these strategies, leaders can unlock the full potential of creativity within themselves and their teams, driving transformative outcomes and sustainable growth.

Building a Creative Culture

Building a creative culture is essential for organizations seeking sustained innovation and growth. Leaders play a pivotal role in cultivating an environment that values and supports creativity.

Firstly, leaders must prioritize openness and transparency, encouraging team members to express their ideas freely without fear of criticism. This fosters a culture of psychological safety, where individuals feel empowered to take creative risks and think outside the box.

Secondly, leaders should actively promote collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas by facilitating regular brainstorming sessions, interdisciplinary projects, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. By breaking down silos and encouraging interaction across teams, leaders can spark new perspectives and innovative solutions.

Additionally, leaders should provide resources and time for experimentation, allowing teams to explore creative ideas and iterate on concepts.

Finally, recognizing and celebrating creativity is vital to reinforcing a culture that values innovation. Leaders can acknowledge and reward individuals and teams who demonstrate creative thinking and produce impactful results, inspiring others to embrace creativity. Ultimately, leaders can cultivate a culture where innovative ideas flourish and drive organizational success by fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that champions creativity.

Bringing it together

The journey of leadership is intricately linked with the boundless nature of creativity, as Maya Angelou's timeless wisdom highlighted: "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."

Throughout this article, we explored the concept of a growth mindset in leadership, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and resilience in the face of challenges. Maya Angelou's quote encourages leaders to take creative risks without fear of exhausting their creative abilities, citing examples of visionary leaders like Elon Musk and Sara Blakely.

Furthermore, we explored actionable strategies for nurturing creativity within oneself and among teams, including promoting diverse perspectives, interdisciplinary collaboration, and fostering a culture of experimentation.

Lastly, we underscored the significance of building a creative culture within organizations, emphasizing the role of leaders in fostering environments where innovative ideas thrive.

As leaders navigate their leadership journey, let us embrace Maya Angelou's wisdom by recognizing creativity as an infinite resource—a wellspring of inspiration and innovation that grows with each endeavor. By harnessing the power of creativity, leaders can propel their teams and organizations toward meaningful growth and enduring success.

Call to Action

I invite you to reflect on Maya Angelou's profound quote, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have," and consider its application in your leadership journey.

How can you embrace this mindset of limitless creativity to inspire innovation and resilience within your teams? Consider fostering a culture that values and supports creativity, encouraging diverse perspectives and experimentation.

Share your experiences and insights on cultivating creativity in leadership—whether through promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, empowering team members to take creative risks, or recognizing and celebrating innovative ideas.

By harnessing the transformative power of creativity, we can shape a future where bold ideas flourish, driving positive change and sustainable success. Let's embark on this journey together, embracing Maya Angelou's timeless wisdom as a guiding light in our pursuit of impactful leadership.