Leadership Photo Essay

Enjoy this leadership photo essay. Great pictures. Great quotes. Get inspired. Lead and innovate!

Is Your Creativity Worth Millions?

More and more, creativity and innovation are being valued. Check out this latest blog in Forbes...

Is Your Creativity Worth Millions? - MarketShare - Advertising marketing & media - Forbes

Software Firm aims to tap unique skills of workers with autism

This is the kind of innovation that makes an impact. Check out this inspiring story from Crain's Chicago Business:

Cool New Innovation

Great Leaders Make Decisions

As I was reading this blog from Thought Leaders: Great Leaders Make Decisions, I was thinking how much overlap there is between using your imagination...being able to get at that part of your brain to think creatively...and making good decisions. Leaders are not generally called upon to make decisions that are straight-forward or logical. Rather, leaders have to make decisions when things are not as clear, when the "right" answer is not evident. While this does require a tolerance for ambiguity, it also requires an ability to think of what might be, to see what is not, but could be and to project your mind into possible future scenarios. This is imagination at work. The tasks and tools that we have been discussing from "Imagination First" are like an exercise circuit, helping us to strengthen our imagination muscle. I cannot help but believe that doing so will help us to make better decisions...and to make good decisions. Check out the Thought Leaders Blog:
Great Leaders Make Decisions

Leadership Lessons: The Power of Laughter | Jeremie Kubicek

Laughter is not only great medicine, but it adds depth and spark to our lives. Laughter opens up our minds and our spirits to what might be possible. Take a look at what Jeremie Kubicek has to say about it in his post:
Leadership Lessons: The Power of Laughter Jeremie Kubicek

Building Leadership Resilience

Building Leadership Resilience

This is worth thinking about and reflecting on...and creatively applying to your own leadership. Check out the blog above.

Imagination First - Practice #13: Chunk It

Practice #13 from Imagination First takes a tour through the idea of chunking or segmenting acts of imagination to that they become smaller, graspable acts. This is an interesting concept because it is counter-intuitive. When we think of being imaginative or creating something, we often think of starting with a blank slate and bringing something novel into existence or into our mind's eye. While we like to think of the sky as being the limit to imagination and we fret over accidentally curbing our imagination by putting up artificial boundaries, it is often very difficult for us to create or imagine when we are given no guidance or boundaries. "Create something" instructions often led to a lot of aimless time spent looking at the blank slate.

Any parent or teacher will tell you that you need to provide a bit of scaffolding for a child, a core idea for an artist (this is maybe where the muses come in), a burning question for a scientist...whatever grows starts with a kernel of something. Once you have the initial kernel or chunk you can figure out what is possible for your little chunk. This can help you collapse the distance from the blank slate to actually activating your imagination and coming up with an initial idea. Step by step or chunk by chunk, before you know it, you have painted a masterpiece, written a poem, cured polio, or changed the world.

If we can begin to unlock the power of possibility by exercising our imaginations, strengthening our muscles for asking questions and thinking about "What If" rather than "What Is", we can return to the innovative land that we once were...and, more importantly, we can begin to work together to solve the world's problems. But, as the title says, it starts with imagination first. If we are going to get really good at imagining, we are going to need a lot of practice at it...and we are going to need to start rewarding it at a young age.

Why is it that most 2 year old children are more imaginative than their parents or even than their 9 year old siblings? I hypothesize it is in large part because the 2-year-old does not know a heck of a lot about "What Is" and so is free to ask nearly all the time about "What If" and test this question out (sometimes to the dismay of their parents and older siblings). Slowly, over time and as the child grows we indoctrinate the child as to "What Is" and pretty soon the child's brain is so full of "What Is" (and the associated rules and regulations) that there is less and less room for "What If." The imagination muscle begins to atrophy. If we want to have the scientists and mathematicians and social problem solvers that we need, we are going to have to make sure that our education system supports the growth of the imagination and teaches children more about how to ask and answer "What If" and less about how to comply with "What Is." We are going to have to put imagination first.

I am Different. Just Like You.

You are invited: Watch my Autism Speaks video message

You are invited: Watch my Autism Speaks video message

Take the time to check out this video message from Ahmad Islam and his son, Gabriel. Ahmad is using his creativity to make a difference.

Practice 12: Make a Gap

Practice 12

Make a Gap

Obscure part of the picture

Our brains are hard-wired to complete the picture, to fill in missing information, and to fill the gap (in information). The authors of Imagination First note that in order to exercise our imagination, we often need to deliberately obscure a crucial part of the story. This is why we are fascinated by magic and why radio shows (like the Green Hornet for example) were successful. Think about what you don't see in your favorite movies or programs...that may be just the part that interests you...where you fill in the gap and use your own imagination to complete the story.

I am writing this post today on a historical day for Egypt -- President Mubarek has just been forced out of office by 18 days of protests by the people of Egypt...who saw a different picture for their country.

And I wonder just what role imagination, creativity and innovation will play in Egypt's future. For now, there is indeed a gap. The important part of the story...of what will become of this country and its people...is obscured. It will take more than imagination to fill that gap and complete the story. But the ability to use imagination to fill in what might be, what could be, and create what will be is important. And, in this case, complex. Egypt's immediate future will no longer result from the imagination of one person. The people of Egypt and whatever leadership they put into place must harness a collective imagination for an alternative future. They have created the gap...but will what fills it be more imaginative (and better) than what came before?

Now, it will not be sufficient to have created a gap. It will not be sufficient to have protested against what was. Now, the people of Egypt must imagine and create a new reality. But first, the dream...

"Nothing happens but first a dream."

The world holds its collective breath and wishes luck to all of the Egyptian "imagineers." May they also be good at implementation and execution of their ideals.



Practice 11: Swap Bodies. Lose yourself in a role.

Practice 11: Swap Bodies.

Practice 11 from Imagination First (Liu and Noppe-Brandon) is really about using perspective to see the world differently, to open up new imaginative possibilities, and to act differently as a result.

The ability to take the perspective of an "other" is a basic developmental milestone for young infants/toddlers. While it is a natural development for most people, over time some of us get better at it than others. Taking an other's perspective or seeing the world from "someone else's eyes" forces us to recognize that our conceptualization and understanding of reality is not the only possibility. Without getting into discussions of parallel universes or associated alternate realities, it is not difficult for most of us to recognize that how we view what we experience makes a big difference on how we experience it and our understanding of the experience. For example, two people attend the Super Bowl. One is a fan of the team that ultimately wins. The other, a fan of the team that ultimately loses. Even if seated in the same section, their experiences of the Super Bowl are likely very different. Or, take another example: an aid worker in Haiti and a citizen of Haiti. Both are experiencing the after-math of the earthquakes and floods and health epidemics, but their experiences of the same exchange to obtain clean drinking water is entirely different. Or, you take your 5 year old and your 11 year old sons to see a speech by your local Alderman because you want to expose them to politics. Odds are good that the three of you had very different experiences and perspectives of the same event.

Enough examples, you get the point. Now, imagine if you intentionally practiced taking the perspective of another. What new ideas might emerge? Can you envision the potential benefits of freeing yourself from your own world view, perspective and constraints? Your imagination is unleashed. You are "freed" to be someone else, to solve a new problem that maybe you never thought of, or to consider solutions that had never occurred to you in your usual perspective. If you practice this enough, you will get good at it. You will free yourself from the rut of your "usual" thinking whenever you like...by "swapping bodies" (or perspectives) with someone else. 

And while increasing imagination is a wonderful thing in its own right, it is made even more wonderful by acting upon it, creating something new, or engaging in social innovation. On some level it seems that our ability to take the perspective of another and to benefit from that new view also requires us to use our enlightened perspective for good.

Imagination first, yes. Using our strengthened imaginations to solve or address all sorts of problems to make the world a better place, even better.

Practice 10: Untie Your Tongue

 Practice #10 from Imagination First relates to learning to speak with people about what interests you (what work you do or your hobbies) and speaking clearly enough for them to both understand and get excited. Talking about your work with someone who doesn't understand forces you to clarify your thoughts, unpack your jargon and assumptions, and retrain your brain. It can be refreshing.

Once your knowledge is expressed in new ideas and clear words, your knowledge is now more tacit and intuitive. And this allows you to become open to your imagination. Tell your story so that your 5-year-old son (or daughter) could understand it. This is harder than it seems, but worth the effort.

Prepare your mind for an active imagination. You might discover something new. In any case, you will have fun in the process!

Renew Your Narrative

In Practice #9 of Imagination First, the authors discuss how we at times need to renew our narrative. This is a particularly good concept to explore at the start of the year.

We are people of stories. All of human existence and expression centers around narratives or stories about ourselves, others, our culture, "our time", etc. We are all born storytellers. So much so, though, that at times our overarching narratives about ourselves can confine us. The authors argue that few things can impede the flow of imagination as much as dead (or outdated) narratives. At times, we simply need to re imagine our situation. We need to tell a different story.

First, of course, we have to become aware of the narratives that we have collected. What stories do you tell about yourself? What are your beliefs about yourself? Now ask yourself, does your narrative about yourself confine you or allow you to live to your fullest potential?

If it is confining, or maybe no longer true, change it.

Yes, we are trained to believe that traits, especially personality traits, are fixed entities. For many traits and talents, we tend to believe that either you have it or you don't. Of course, that very narrative assures the outcome it predicts. Many traits are not fixed. Most talents can be learned. To a very great extent, who you are and who you become are who you believe yourself to be.

But what if you told yourself that you were a good person, that you have strong talents, that you are likable and outgoing and creative? Research indicates that this alternative narrative -- that no matter what your capabilities in a given area at this moment, with focus and applied effort you can elevate yourself and improve -- telling this narrative and believing it is also self-fulfilling.

As long as you are a storyteller, be a good and interesting storyteller. Create a narrative for yourself and your life that is positive and uplifting. Imagine the life that you want, the you that you want, and live that story. It becomes a new reality.

So, what's your story?

Practice 8: Mix Your Metaphors

Think about it...

I suppose that it is appropriate at the start of a new year to think about Practice #8 from Imagination First: Mix your metaphors.When you think about it, we use metaphors a lot, perhaps as simplifiers...ways to shorten and simplify what we are thinking about. And, as organizers and relaters, ways to connect what we are thinking about to something else, to organize it in our minds. We do it so much that we do not even think about it. And, this ends up being a problem. While our brains (for the most part) are naturally wired for this way of thinking (although some people's brains are not, for example, the brains of people with autism are not wired to think in metaphors -- for more information, check out this resource: TAP), our way of thinking in metaphors can also get us into trouble.

To borrow an example from Liu and Noppe-Brandon on a topic close to my heart, when we think of a school as being an "education factory," certain truths come to light: it is organized, efficient, maybe noisy...and everyone acts as if they are in a factory. What happens when we instead think of a school  as a garden or an art studio? The entire design of the school and all of the behavior in the school changes. Johnson and Lakoff are quoted as saying "the way we have been brought up to perceive our world is not the only way and it is possible to see beyond the 'truths' of our culture..." (Metaphors We Live By). I think it pays to stop and think about the metaphors we use and whether they are limiting our possibilities or, worse, even damaging us or those around us by what we do and how we act on those metaphors.

For example, if you think of common metaphor "TIME IS MONEY," how does this influence how you spend your time? Your life? If you, instead, thought in terms of a different metaphor "TIME IS A GIFT," does this change how you would spend your time? Your life? Consider the simple movie: The Dash for a little deeper thought on this one.

The point, I think, of Practice #8 as it applies to imagination first, is to purposely shake up your metaphors, just to see what new and creative ideas you have. You might just experience vu ja de when you do. Mix your metaphors. Be more imaginative. Shake up your world and see the same old things in a brand new way. The benefits to you may not be only that are are more imaginative. Mixing up your metaphors might just change your life. Or, you might just make a positive impact on the lives of those around you. Mix it up in 2011..who knows, we might just change the world!