Monday, April 9th, 2012
Controlling risk is the job of a good manager. Taking risks is the sweet spot of the most creative people on your team. This means that if you lead a creative you will be best to go against your instinct to control if you truly want the best results. And, managing chaos is the MO of the best creative leader. The delicate balance pushes beyond safety, displaying a gooey, unstable, and abstract process. It is much like a baby’s birth. Messy. But, powerful. And, miraculous. Only when the creation is complete does it make sense. (more…)
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012
I neglected a friend and have to publicly acknowledge my wrongs. Here is my open letter.
Dear Messy Desk,
You are beautiful just as you are. When you are clean, I cannot find what I need, where I need it, and when I need it. You simply work for me! Your appearance speaks of activity, productivity, and hopefully brilliant creativity. In our relationship, only I can appreciate you fully. Underneath the papers, there is a lost pencil. Behind the stapler, my glasses are found. No one can see what I see, Messy Desk.
So, I apologize for those that walk by you and scowl, frown, and object. They have no idea of who you are. They see disorganization while I see genius. They speak of wasted time, while I see dreams coming to reality. You know what its like to be misunderstood. In that, we are kindreds. I should have defended you more vigorously.
Finally, I want to thank you. What a friend you have been to me all these years. Forgive me for the times I tried to tidy you up and change you. And, accept my apology for thinking you should be any other way. Why would anyone who really knows you want to change you? You are perfect, my Messy Desk. Now, one last thing. Where did I put my pencil?
Regards,
Rich
Monday, April 2nd, 2012
No matter your vocation, if you are a creative you will face all sorts things because of your unique filter on life. This is true in the workplace where your work producing music, creating graphic layouts, or designing experiences is not what everyone else does in your office–even if you don’t have an office. Here are five people you will face and how to win them over.
- Anesthetized Aesthetic: This person means well, as most do. The rub is that they show the signs of understanding aesthetics, but because of being told they couldn’t draw in the second grade they are rarely moved by things like design. Lack of creative confidence is the issue. Your job is to awaken the inner artist by encouraging and valuing the creativity you notice in them. “Bob, I did not know you liked to cook?. Nice!” Acknowledge their resonance with your creative work and earn an advocate. (more…)
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
The school yard bully is quintessential in our memories. Creatives, even those that work in faith institutions or volunteer for a cause, face a bully of sorts. You see, often there exists a factory mindset that says conformity is unity as it cries fowl at innovation. Innovation means change. Change is bad. Creatives simply change things because that is the nature of creativity! Compliance to vision is actually not the question–status-quo worship is. I am going to use the sacred cow detector and list ten statements that bully us creatives as we serve the church. Some of these are more subtly expressed, but we hear them all the same. (more…)
Manuel Luz on 
Guy on 
Rob Still on 
RK on 
