Can a Creative Lead?

If studies over the last decade are finding that creativity is ranked as one of the most important leadership skills for the C-suite at successful organizations, then why are executive-level creative positions still so rare outside of agencies? Is there a corporate bias about the capabilities of a Creative to lead? Let's examine this question:

Can a Creative Lead?

Have you ever heard someone talk about creative people? "Oh....she's a creative" (like that is a flaw or something negative). "He's a starving artist." "They are artsy and will never get anything accomplished." "I don't think numbers are her thing, she's artsy." And my favorite, "Creatives need a backup plan if they are ever going to make a living." Sounds like bias to me.

Creative thinkers have the same internal abilities as an analytical thinker to be organized, success-driven, goal-oriented, and professional. Creatives can think freely but that does not necessarily mean we are not grounded. These are skills that can be taught and practiced by anyone.

Being creative is not, however, synonymous with being artistic. Although artists are really good at using their creativity, these terms have two separate meanings that are frequently incorrectly used.

Creativity is the ability to create something out of nothing, to make connections that others don’t see by using your imagination to create and solve problems. When something new and valuable is formed from what seems like nothing, that's creativity. It can be intangible or tangible. Creatives are problem-solvers. Being artistic is about using a talent or skill to create something – a painting, drawing, pottery, sculpture, or a song. Creativity is something everyone has, and artistry is something only some practice.

How does creativity work in the workplace?

"Creativity improves productivity. If a company culture puts too many boundaries up, creativity goes down, productivity becomes difficult and people leave. If employees can question and even disagree, especially with the opinions of the highest-paid persons in the room, creativity flourishes. What ifs become about vision instead of fear." -Jennifer H. Mannion

Workplace creativity is not this messy paint spill on the floor that no one does anything with to create art or even clean up. It's about big thinking and tossing an idea out there without judgment or fear of failure. It's about taking that wild original idea and implementing it to a business strategy and setting goals with necessary measurements of success. Creativity leads to innovation. Innovation leads to problem-solving at a polished level of professionalism. This is the value of having a creative leader in a top position.

Can a Creative make it to the C-Suite?

Creatives can absolutely live in the C-suite. Creative thinking and originality geared toward delivering a business result, combined with strategic thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit, and you've got the making of an amazing creative leader. Add in the fact that creative thinkers tend to have high emotional intelligence and it just gets better! Employees feel heard and understood when their leader has empathy and creativity (and a touch of witty humor). Find a leader who is an artist, a creative, and a business brain, all rolled into one, and you've hit the jackpot!

About Me:

I sing, write, draw, paint, photograph, and design. I am also a creative thinker, endlessly curious, an innovator, and a visionary. I have decades of marketing experience, and I am a techie. I am energized by introversion. But can I lead? Absolutely. I am a natural leader; to apply that natural ability to lead, I have spent years practicing the art of leading and coaching my people. I am an entrepreneur and I know how to run a business. I budget and sell and present and teach, all while being a CREATIVE.