Tips for Boosting Professional Creativity

Without realizing it, we more than often bring a fixed mindset to any given problem. This can block us from seeing creative solutions problems or unlocking unforeseen opportunities. We end up in a cycle of iteration vs. innovation. 🌀🕯️💡 Start by embracing a growth mindset. 🧠 A growth mindset, proposed by @Stanford professor Carol Dweck in her book Mindset, describes those who believe that their success depends on time and effort. People with a growth mindset feel their skills and intelligence can be improved with effort and persistence. Then also practice a beginner's mind (Shoshin, 初心). 🌈 Having a beginner's mind means you approach the world through a beginner's eyes. You set aside your expert's mind in favor of seeing things differently, with childlike wonder. 🤩 A beginner's mind is… -Open to new experiences and perspectives. -Always curious and ready to learn. -Mindful and present in the moment (you show up differently) -Ready to let go of expectations, assumptions, and judgments that block growth. -Open to embracing change. -Humble, able to accept mistakes and see failures as opportunities. -Brave, set to take steps outside your comfort zone. “If your mind is empty … it is open to everything. In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” – Shunryu Suzuki 1. Set aside current experiences, case studies, and playbooks. You can't do new things if you approach them as you always do. Let go of the word 'should' and replace it with 'what if' and 'why not'. Be open to surprises. 2. Take inspiration from children. Be open to wonder and amazement. 3. Practice creativity as part of your everyday routines. 4. Slooooooow down. 5. Be curious. Ask questions as if everything is new. 6. Be optimistic. It's easy to find problems and make excuses. 7. Leave your ego behind. As my friend @ryanholiday says, "ego is the enemy." 8. Invite new voices to the table, regardless of role. Be inclusive. Be open. Create a safe space for everyone. 9. Be ready to make mistakes and even fail. If you don't fail, you're not trying anything new. Keep going. 10. Stay curious! 🙌 #creativity #innovation #leadership #growthmindset #leadershipmindset #beginnersmind

Unlock Your Leadership Potential Through Curiosity Embracing curiosity is a key catalyst for personal and professional growth, transforming you into a more effective leader and a sought-after team member. Explore these evidence-based strategies to amplify your curiosity and elevate your skills. Step 1: Eliminate Excuses It's time to break free from the mindset that you're too busy or reliant on external motivation to foster curiosity. Recognize that cultivating curiosity is a personal responsibility. Allocate dedicated time to delve into your interests, unburdened by excuses. Step 2: Define Your Focus Identify areas you're passionate about and aspire to master. Devote 20 to 30 minutes daily to intentionally immerse yourself in these subjects—whether through reading, writing, or engaging in insightful conversations with like-minded individuals. Step 3: Embrace Change Challenge the status quo by altering your routine. Small modifications in daily habits, work processes, or even weekend activities can spark fresh perspectives. By breaking free from the familiar, you create opportunities for connection and expand your curiosity. Step 4: Experiment Fearlessly Step outside your comfort zone and embrace experimentation. Delve into activities that may not align with your usual preferences. Discover the excitement of new interests, indulge in guilty pleasures, and welcome variety. If an experiment doesn't resonate, be adaptable and make the necessary adjustments. Cultivating curiosity is an ongoing journey that propels you toward continuous learning and innovation. Take charge of your curiosity, and watch as it transforms you into a dynamic and forward-thinking professional. #Curiosity #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth

Creativity isn't just a skill; it's a muscle that needs flexing. This weekend, as I unboxed my new XTool Screen Printer (thank you Nick), and imagined all I will make, I started thinking about the role creativity has played in my life and as a leader. My first core memory of creativity goes back to me as a five-year-old at a yard sale, my eyes locked on a peculiar find — a camera. Priced at a mere $.25, I was lit up by the fact that I could use my saved up money to buy it. It didn't take me long to realize that it was actually broken... BUT, it didn't matter to me. Even though it couldn't take pictures, I began to see the world differently. It wasn't about capturing what was there; it was about looking through the lens for interesting shots and seeing a new view of my little world. That broken camera was one of my first lesson in creativity — looking beyond flaws to find new perspectives. Using a creative lens to view work has also always been there. Figuring out a new way to deliver a training course, or a new approach to bringing our newly remote team together during Covid... all requiring a unique view brought through a creative lens. Now I'm in another new phase of creativity... supporting HR leaders and teams in viewing new tools and technology through a lens of "what if" instead of "let's wait". I thought it would be helpful to explore a few ways HR Leaders can build their creative vision of AI: Encourage Curiosity: Create an environment where questions are welcomed. Encourage your team to view new ideas through a lens of curiosity, much like seeing the world through a broken camera. It's about exploring the reasons to say "yes" and not settling for the "way we've always done it" that comes to mind. Embrace Imperfections: Just as my $.25 camera was far from perfect, great ideas often start as rough drafts. Encourage your team to share all ideas, even the unpolished ones. It's in these raw thoughts that creativity often finds its most fertile ground. Provide Creative Outlets: Integrate opportunities for creative expression and bringing AI tools into the workplace. Whether it's through team brainstorming sessions, creativity workshops, or encouraging personal projects, provide avenues for your team to channel their creativity. My journey from a young girl with a broken camera to a leader passionate about nurturing creativity through AI technology has shown me that innovation starts with how we see the world. It's about recognizing potential in the unexpected and having the courage to explore it. As leaders, our role is to cultivate an environment where creativity is not just a possibility but a staple, transforming everyday perspectives into extraordinary visions.

Think creativity is just for artists? Think again! Creativity is your secret weapon for success. Despite the rise of quantitative data-driven strategies, there's a resurgence in valuing creativity for its significant impact on business outcomes. This shift shows that creativity extends beyond generating novel ideas. Instead, it focuses on nurturing a culture where these ideas catalyze tangible success. Everyone has inherent creative potential that can significantly influence their professional life and organizational success. Here’s how you can activate yours: 1. Ask Different Questions:  Enhance your creative thinking by mastering the art of "question storming," which involves framing questions in order to examine issues from multiple angles. 2. Look Through a New Lens:  Broaden your perspective by engaging with unfamiliar subjects through courses, podcasts, conversations or seminars in different industries. 3. Design Constraints:  Use constraints as a tool to sharpen focus and drive innovative solutions, leveraging the functional, social, and emotional aspects of problems. 4. Treat Yourself:  Establish rewards for creative efforts to create a positive feedback loop that encourages ongoing creativity. Building creative thinking has to be intentional and you must be patient with yourself in order to develop it over time. Most importantly, have fun with the process! #CreativeThinking #BusinessInnovation #CareerDevelopment #WorkplaceCreativity https://lnkd.in/e9xsDtCB